A Southwest Georgia resident, Marcus Ryan Telfair, 30, has been sentenced to 130 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegal firearm possession. The sentencing was delivered by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner after Telfair pleaded guilty to the charge on June 26. His case is part of a Project Safe Neighborhoods investigation aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary stated, "Repeat convicted felons caught with firearms during the commission of other crimes will see their cases in federal court." He emphasized the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies to enhance community safety and hold serial offenders accountable.
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka commented on the sentencing: "Today’s sentence reflects our commitment to ensuring that those with a history of violent crime are held accountable for their actions." He highlighted the threat posed by felons illegally possessing firearms and reiterated efforts to remove such individuals from communities.
Albany Police Chief Michael Persley noted the cooperative efforts between state and federal partners in addressing career criminals: “It is my desire that the message is loud and clear that if a person commits a crime and possesses a firearm, there are no limits to the full prosecution of those actions.”
The events leading to Telfair's arrest involved an incident on October 23, 2023, when Albany Police Department officers responded to a disorderly conduct call. A landscaper witnessed Telfair dragging a woman by her hair while threatening him with a gun when he attempted to intervene. When police arrived, Telfair fled but was found hiding under a porch with a stolen 9mm semiautomatic pistol and knife in his backpack.
Telfair's criminal record includes several convictions in Dougherty County Superior Court for robbery, entering auto, and interfering with government property.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) aims to reduce violent crime through coordinated efforts between law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The initiative focuses on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention programs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.
The investigation into Telfair's activities was conducted by the Albany Police Department with assistance from ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matt Redavid prosecuted the case for the government.