A West Georgia man, already serving a life sentence in state prison, has been sentenced to over 14 years in federal prison for firearms and drug trafficking offenses. Howatdrick Jamal Jones, 32, from Woodbury, Georgia, received a 175-month prison term followed by five years of supervised release. This sentence will run concurrently with his existing state sentence. U.S. District Judge Clay Land handed down the sentence on December 17 after Jones was found guilty of several charges at a bench trial on September 23.
Jones faced convictions for possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The federal system does not allow parole.
“Violent reoffenders must be held accountable for their crimes,” stated U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. He emphasized the collaboration with law enforcement partners to bring justice to those causing significant disruption in communities.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, commented on the prevalence of guns and drugs among drug trafficking organizations and affirmed the DEA's commitment to holding violent traffickers accountable.
Waverly Hall Police Chief Jason Durham expressed gratitude towards all law enforcement entities involved in the case and highlighted it as an example that illegal drugs and guns will not be tolerated.
The evidence presented at trial showed that Jones was stopped by a Waverly Hall Police Department officer on October 16, 2019. An automatic license plate reader alerted the officer about active arrest warrants for the car owner. Upon searching the vehicle due to the smell of marijuana, authorities discovered cocaine, a digital scale, and a razor blade next to the drugs. Jones also had a .45 caliber pistol concealed on him despite having prior felony drug convictions which legally barred him from possessing firearms.
Jones was previously convicted of bank robbery on September 20, 2023, in Pike County's Superior Court and is currently serving his life sentence for that crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) alongside the Waverly Hall Police Department with assistance from both the FBI and Harris County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals prosecuted this case for the government.