Augusta, GA
4 CSRA residents indicted on federal firearms, drug charges
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Four people from the CSRA have been indicted for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, according to authorities.
Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.
“Keeping guns out of the hands of those who are prohibited to possess them is vital in preventing violent crime in our community,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to protect our citizens from illegal firearms.”
The cases are prosecuted as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI, to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.
Those indicted during the June term of the U.S. District Court Grand Jury include:
- Joshua Robert Ward, 44, and Jordan Beverly Howard, 37, both of Augusta, charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, methamphetamine and heroin; possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Anthony Orlando Jones, 34, of Augusta, charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
- Darnell Harold Miller, 25, of Savannah, charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number
All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:
- Thomas J. Fazio II, 41, of Grovetown, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of an unregistered firearm. In May 2023, Homeland Security investigations and Customs and Border Protection intercepted suspected firearms silencers being shipped to Fazio, a U.S. Army Staff sergeant. During a search of Fazio’s residence, investigators found multiple firearms including an illegal short-barrel assault-style rifle and an unregistered firearm silencer.
- Unique Haynes, 26, of Jacksonville, Fla., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine, cocaine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. A co-defendant, Eric Massey, 29, also of Jacksonville, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to illegal use of a communication facility. Haynes and Massey were charged in Augusta following an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol.
- Joshua Green, 35, of Ridgeland, S.C., was sentenced to 77 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah Police found green in possession of a pistol in a closed city park.
- Isaac C. Brown, 40, of Guyton, Ga., was sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Georgia Ports Authority Police conducting enhanced screenings at the Garden City terminal found a pistol inside brown’s truck in March 2023.
- Jamario D. Owens, 24, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah Police officers found Owens in possession of a handgun while investigating a reported disturbance.
- Pedro Walker, 24, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah Police Officers investigating a reported disturbance found walker had been in possession of a pistol.
Also previously indicted:
- Howard Barkley, a/k/a “T-Bone,” 46, and Johnny Porter Sr., a/k/a “Unc,” 71, both of Waycross, Ga., charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and other drug charges, while Porter also is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and maintaining a drug-involved premises.
The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.
For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, visit here.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
Two Augusta-area Walmarts are among 13 Georgia locations that the retail giant plans to remodel and modernize in 2026.
In the past five years, the company said it has spent $961.5 million to upgrade its stores statewide.
Now, the company plans to change store layouts and services in its Augusta and Grovetown locations to make shopping faster and more convenient.
The locations are the Augusta Walmart Supercenter at 3338 Wrightsboro Road, near Augusta Mall, and the Grovetown Walmart Neighborhood Market at 5303-A Wrightsboro Road, where Wrightsboro and Harlem-Grovetown roads meet.
The Augusta location has been undergoing renovations since last fall.
The stores, when completely renovated, will include updated pharmacies offering vaccines, free delivery and clinical services such as basic health screenings and same-day testing for strep, the flu and COVID-19. Vision Centers also will be redesigned for improved privacy.
Also, computer apps will help customers better navigate stores, scan products’ prices and find exclusive app-only shopping deals.
Augusta, GA – Entered into rest Sunday, April 19, 2026. Mr. James Byron Duncan, 80, was the loving husband of Estelle Mulherin Duncan as well as devoted father, doting grandfather, and lifelong friend to many.
Byron was born and raised in Augusta, GA, the son of W.B. and Kathleen Duncan. After graduating from Butler High School in 1965, Byron’s kind heart called him into Social Work. He earned his Bachelor of Sociology from Augusta College in 1969. After 34 years of dedicated service to the State of Georgia, Byron retired in 2003 as Director of Jefferson County Family and Children Services. He devoted his life wholeheartedly to both service to others and dedication to his family, working in the tough field of social work while remaining a fiercely loving, spirited and unwaveringly passionate man.
His deepest commitments were to his wife, children, granddaughters, siblings, church, the Knights of Columbus and the Georgia Bulldogs.
Byron was deeply rooted in his faith and community. He was an active member of St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, where he had served as an usher, Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and finance committee member. He was also a proud member of the Knights of Columbus, Patrick Walsh Council 677 and Assembly 174, the Irish American Heritage Society and the Rotary Club of Louisville, GA. A true Georgia Bulldog at heart, Byron never missed an opportunity to cheer for his Dawgs, whether they were playing football, basketball, baseball or any other sport. He loved the simple joys of life – days at the beach, Jimmy Buffett, beach music and shagging, and a house full of family and friends. For many years, Byron delighted young and old alike by donning the red suit and playing Santa Claus at various events as well as visiting the classrooms at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic School as St. Nicholas.
Byron possessed the gift of gab! He never met a stranger and could often be observed enthusiastically carrying on a deep conversation with old friends or a stranger he just met on the street. No conversation with him was brief!
Family meant everything to him. He is survived by his beloved wife of 40 years, Estelle Mulherin Duncan; his children Sean M. Duncan (Jennifer), Matthew M. Duncan and Megan E. Duncan; his bonus daughter, Allison Crow (Joe), and his treasured grandchildren Riley, Emma and Harper Duncan, who brought him endless joy. He is also survived by his brother Keith Duncan; sisters Sheryl Werrick and Marcia Golden; brothers-in-law Dr. Joe Mulherin, Robert Gibson and Tom King; sister-in-law Janet M. Gibson; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 24, 2026, at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church with Fr. Mark Ross as celebrant. Interment will follow at Westover Memorial Park. A Rosary service will be held Thursday evening at 6:00 P.M., followed by visitation from 6:30 until 8:00 P.M. at Thomas Poteet & Son.
Memorial contributions may be made to Aquinas High School, 1920 Highland Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 or St. Mary on the Hill Catholic Church, 1420 Monte Sano Ave., Augusta, GA 30904 for the Our Faith Our Future Capital Campaign.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Road, Augusta, GA 30907, (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at thomaspoteet.com
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Georgia Gubernational candidate Geoff Duncan made another appearance in Augusta on Monday, speaking at the IBEW Local 1579 on Reynolds Street.
Duncan is one of the three candidates vying for the Democratic nomination. Duncan said when he served as lieutenant governor of the state, he fought to expand access to health care in rural communities. He said if he’s elected, he’ll focus on lowering costs in other areas.
Duncan stopped by NewsChannel 6 ahead of the campaign stop to speak about his plans.
“Look, 90% of Georgians know what they’re talking about when they want to pass commonsense gun legislation like universal background checks, red flag laws, and in-home safe storage laws. As governor, I want to lead the charge, and I want to give political cover to those Republicans that want to do the right thing, build those consensus around those bills,” Duncan said. “I hope to get some of them the cosign that legislation. Because it meets people where they’re at. It’s common sense. Look, I don’t want anybody to ever walk by a television screen and make another excuse for a mass shooting when it could have been stopped. With just common sense laws that are on the books.”
Photojournalist credit: Regynal McKie
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