Augusta, GA

4 CSRA residents indicted on federal firearms, drug charges

Published

7 months ago

June 11, 2024

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.

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Augusta, GA

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

Published

4 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Winter weather causes crashes across CSRA on slick roads

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Multiple cars crashed due to winter weather conditions on I-20 in the CSRA early Friday morning, according to authorities.

On I-20 in Augusta, the road conditions at the Washington Road exit were hazardous, according to our reporter on the interstate.

Our reporter saw another wreck on the Bobby Jones overpass from I-520 to I-20 at 10:35 a.m. We’ve reached out to learn more.

Across the river, on I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

On I-20 westbound just before mile marker 4, multiple vehicles were pulled over after a car carrier crash around 10 a.m. in Aiken County.

We have reached out to learn more.

Dispatch told us crews were on the scene of a multiple-car crash on I-20 eastbound at the Walton Way extension ramp at 9:25 a.m.

Officials say at least two vehicles were involved, but more were reported, and they are unsure how many exactly.

They did however say more vehicles became involved after sliding on the road from weather conditions.

Dispatch says they are unsure of any injuries or if any lanes were blocked.

Augusta, GA

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

Published

12 hours ago

January 10, 2025

Press Room

Wayfair Outlet store opens at the Augusta Exchange

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The new Wayfair outlet is now open at the Augusta Exchange.

You will be able to find furniture and home décor at the location that used to be a Buy Buy Baby store.

It’s the latest store to open in the Augusta area.

One customer we spoke with says he thinks the store will be here for a while as it brings something different to the area.

“People are here spending money and they are here to make their house look better. I never thought I would be a dude in his 40s in an outlet, me in an outlet. But I did it today and I think it’s good,” said Carlton Ferguson.

It’s welcome news for fans of the Augusta Exchange, which has seen a bevy of closures in the past couple of years, including Subway, Genghis Grill, O’Charley’s, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Buy Buy Baby and Christmas Tree Shops.

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Augusta, GA

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

Published

20 hours ago

January 9, 2025

Press Room

Augusta takes step to hire full time EMA Director

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – There can be big time disaster emergencies in Augusta, but an emergency management director is not a full-time position for the city.

“I think lessons learned from Hurricane Helene, we desperately need it as we try to recover our city as we try to prepare from the next storm,” said Mayor Garnett Johnson.

The consolidation bill gives the mayor the authority to name an EMA director.

But for the last 20 years, the mayors have called on the fire chief to pull double duty while getting supplement pay.

But at the Mayor Johnson’s request, commissioners have approved beginning the process to hire a full time EMA director.

“You want to make sure that when disasters come, we are 100 percent fully prepared,” said Commissioner Stacy Pulliam.

“A city our size deserves someone who is full time committed to that role that helps with our storm preparedness,” said Mayor Johnson.

But when commissioners approved this year’s budget in November, funding for a new EMA director was not a part of it.

“You talking about cutting budgets but yet you’re talking about increasing personnel. It comes with a cost,” said Commissioner Tony Lewis.

“It will pay for itself as we go through this recovery for Hurricane Helene, as we try to see out grant opportunities and funding opportunities for reimbursement,” said the Mayor.

For sure the city has not seen its last emergency, now the city is seeking a permanent director to manage it.

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