AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – An Augusta man has been sentenced to nearly 6 years in federal prison on an illegal firearm charge, according to the United States Department of Justice on Wednesday.

Chauncey Lavon Feby, 20, was sentenced to 71 months in prison and a $1,500 fine, followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Illegal Possession of a Machinegun.

In November 2024 in Richmond County, Feby was reportedly found with a Glock Model 45, 9 mm pistol which had been modified with an auto sear, converting the pistol into a fully automatic machinegun.

“We will continue to support our law enforcement partners in their efforts to remove these dangerous weapons from the streets and to keep our communities safe,” said U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to hold accountable those that unlawfully possess these lethal weapons.”

UPDATE: June 17, 3:41 p.m. – According to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office, the roadway has been reopened.

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – A portion of Gordon Highway has been closed Wednesday after a body was found in a nearby pond.

Richmond County Investigators say the 1200 block of eastbound Gordon Highway at Doug Barnard Parkway is closed, and that drivers should seek an alternate route.

The Augusta Fire Department, Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division have responded to the scene.

According to Coroner Mark Bowen, a positive ID will have to be made due to the condition of the body. An autopsy has been scheduled.

No further information has been released.

• Steven Kendrick defeated incumbent Garnett Johnson to become the new mayor of Augusta.
• Evett Williams won the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission.
• Alex Griffin secured the Republican nomination for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners.

Augusta will have a new mayor.

Steven Kendrick, a local blueprint company owner whose civic involvement includes more than 13 years leading Richmond County’s tax office, defeated incumbent Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson on Tuesday in a nonpartisan runoff election.

With all 65 Richmond County precincts reporting, Kendrick received 14,651 or 54.27% of the vote to Johnson’s 12,347 or 45.73% of the vote.

More: Georgia primary runoff vote totals for Richmond, Columbia counties

In the nonpartisan runoff for the District 8 seat on the Augusta Commission, Evett Williams defeated Michael Cioffi, 2,174 votes (52.61%) to 1,958 (47.39%).

In the Republican runoff for the District 1 seat on Columbia County’s Board of Commissioners, Alex Griffin beat Bobby Timmerman, 2,778 votes to 1,875 (59.7% to 40.2%).