COLUMBUS, Ga. – A convicted felon and documented member of the Crips legal avenue gang group working in Columbus was sentenced to serve greater than ten years in jail for armed drug trafficking.
Bobby Thomas, 25, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 130 months in jail to be adopted by 5 years of supervised launch by U.S. District Decide Clay Land on Nov. 29 after he pleaded responsible to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute heroin and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There isn’t a parole within the federal system.
“Federal authorities are working intently with our native companions to determine and maintain armed and repeat violent offenders accountable,” stated U.S. Legal professional Peter D. Leary. “Eradicating probably the most harmful offenders from the streets is one half of a bigger technique to scale back violent crime in our communities via the Challenge Secure Neighborhoods program.”
“This sentence is a direct message to criminals that the FBI and the Challenge Secure Neighborhoods program focuses on daily basis on harmful criminals like Thomas,” stated Keri Farley, Particular Agent in Cost of FBI Atlanta. “In case you visitors in medication and violence, you may be focused, and we are going to guarantee that you’re prosecuted and faraway from our streets.”
“Investigators from the Columbus Police Division have been diligently engaged on this case in collaboration with the FBI and U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace. Their persistence and dedication to bringing justice and accountability to the topic accountable for armed drug trafficking in our group is admirable,” stated Chief Freddie Blackmon, Columbus Police Division. “This case is a good instance of the unimaginable partnership we have now with the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace and our dedication to justice for town of Columbus and preserving unlawful medication, weapons and validated gang members off our streets.”
In keeping with court docket paperwork and different proof, a Columbus Police Division (CPD) officer noticed a Fb Reside video of Thomas seated in a stolen automotive holding a tan handgun with an prolonged journal; Thomas ended the video stating that he was going to the Peachtree Mall, a shopping mall in Columbus. Officers situated the stolen automobile within the mall parking zone; Thomas tried to flee officers on foot, however was taken into custody. The automotive had bullet injury and blood on the passenger seat. Officers discovered a loaded tan Glock 9mm semi-automatic pistol with a 31-round journal within the automotive.
On Sept. 15, 2021, CPD officers and FBI brokers executed state arrest warrants for Thomas, in addition to a search warrant of his residence. Thomas initially fled, however was taken into custody with out incident. Officers discovered firearms and ammunition: a .45 caliber pistol with journal; a Glock 23, .40 caliber pistol with prolonged journal and ammunition; a KelTec, 9mm rifle with journal; seven further ammunition magazines; a plastic bag with varied caliber rounds; and a field of .40 caliber ammunition. As well as, officers discovered heroin and drug distribution gadgets. Thomas has a legal historical past to incorporate a felony conviction for methamphetamine possession; it’s unlawful for convicted felons to own firearms.
This case is a part of Challenge Secure Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing collectively all ranges of regulation enforcement and the communities they serve to scale back violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everybody. On Could 26, 2021, the Division launched a violent crime discount technique strengthening PSN primarily based on these core rules: fostering belief and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that assist forestall violence from occurring within the first place, setting centered and strategic enforcement priorities and measuring the outcomes.
The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Division and the FBI.
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Chris Williams prosecuted the case for the Authorities.