AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Five suspects from the CSRA have been indicted for felony charges of illegal firearms possession, according to authorities.

Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.

“As we continue to see the proliferation of illegal guns converted to fully automatic fire, we commend our law enforcement partners for acting to contain this threat to our neighborhoods,” said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “Keeping firearms out of the hands of felons remains a priority for our office.”

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 in November include:

• Antonio Rodriquez Holmes III, 30, of Augusta, was charged with Illegal possession of a machine gun, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
• Luke Bunyun Jr., 46, of Waynesboro, charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Lemar Neil Robinson, 35, of Savannah, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Also charged in a recently unsealed indictment was Charlie Sapp, 57, of Savannah, charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

All indicted defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendants recently adjudicated on federal firearms charges include:

• Keyeon Demar Tykeim Smith, 23, of Augusta, was sentenced to 15 months in prison and fined $1,000 after pleading guilty to receipt of a firearm by a person under indictment. Richmond County deputies found a pistol in Smith’s possession while serving an arrest warrant.
• Brodrick Kyle Merritt, 42, of Augusta, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon as an armed career criminal. Richmond County deputies found a pistol in Merritt’s possession during a traffic stop. Merritt was on probation on state charges when arrested, and faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison.
• Scottie Eugene Bryant, 48, of Grovetown, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Grovetown police officers searched Bryant’s residence and seized multiple firearms in April 2023.
• Richard Bruce Salyer Jr., 49, of Forsyth, Ga., was sentenced to 170 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Chatham County police officers found a pistol in Salyer’s waistband while investigating a report of a stolen vehicle in November 2023. Salyer has two prior convictions for illegally possessing firearms, and at the time of his arrest was an escapee from the Jefferson County, Ga., Correctional Institute.
• David Kreiss, 49, of Twin City, Ga., was sentenced to 88 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Twin City police found Kreiss in possession of a rifle and four shotguns while investigating a domestic disturbance.
• Kavon Smalls, 29, of Savannah, was sentenced to 42 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah police found a pistol after chasing Smalls when he ran away from a vehicle that crashed during an attempted traffic stop.
• Maleak J. Parrish, 24, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah police found a pistol in Parrish’s possession during a traffic stop.
• Raquan Williams, 23, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to a false statement during the purchase of a firearm. Williams attempted to purchase a shotgun from a Chatham County firearms dealer in June 2023, falsely claiming he was not under indictment at the time on state charges of armed robbery and aggravated assault.
• Stanley Hall, 22, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah police found Hall in possession of a handgun while investigating a reported attempted vehicle break-in.
• Corinthian Lamar Colonel, 26, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Officers from the Savannah Police Department and the Georgia Department of Community Supervision found two firearms in the Colonel’s residence during a September 2023 search.
• Eddie Robertson, 30, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Savannah police officers found Robertson in possession of a handgun after a December 2023 traffic stop and foot chase.
• Jacorey Rivers, 32, of Savannah, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a machinegun, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Rivers was on supervised release when he fled from a traffic stop and crashed. Officers found a Glock pistol in his possession that had been converted to automatic fire.
• Willie Dunbar, 45, of Villa Rica, Ga., awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to possession of a machine gun. During a January traffic stop, Wheeler County deputies found Dunbar in possession of a Polymer80 “ghost gun” fitted with a device converting it to automatic fire.

The cases are being prosecuted for the United States by the Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Under federal law, it is illegal for an individual to possess a firearm if he or she falls into one of nine prohibited categories including being a felon; illegal alien; or unlawful user of a controlled substance. Further, it is unlawful to possess a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense or violent crime. It is also illegal to purchase – or even to attempt to purchase – firearms if the buyer is a prohibited person or illegally purchasing a firearm on behalf of others. Lying on ATF Form 4473, which is used to lawfully purchase a firearm, also is a federal offense.

For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please see: https://www.atf.gov/qa-category/atfw-form-4473.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Veterans Day, which commemorates Americans who have served in the military, is observed annually on Nov. 11.

Although it honors all veterans, it grew out of Armistice Day, which marks the end of World War I. Major hostilities of World War I formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

In the U.S., Armistice Day was renamed Veterans Day in 1954.

Here are some other things to know about Veterans Day:

Is Veterans Day a federal holiday?

1. Yes. Veterans Day is one of the nation’s 11 federal holidays celebrated each year. Therefore, federal offices will be closed, and many non-essential government services will be closed.

What’s open and closed on Veterans Day?

1. » Banks: Most are closed on Veterans Day because it’s a federal holiday also observed by the Federal Reserve.
2. » U.S. stock market: It will operate normally on Veterans Day, while the bond markets will remain closed.
3. » Schools: Some are closed and some are open. In the CSRA, they are generally closed.
4. » Mail: Post offices are closed, and mail will not be delivered.
5. » Stores: Businesses are generally open.

Veterans Day deals and freebies

1. » Applebee’s Grill and Bar: All veterans and active-duty military members receive a free entrée from a special menu Nov. 11 at select locations.
2. » Bonefish Grill: Offering active duty and other veterans a free Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer and a non-alcoholic beverage on Nov. 11. Show proof of service.
3. » Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty military can get 10 free boneless wings and fries with a valid ID. Available for dine-in or, if ordering from a Buffalo Wild Wings GO location, available for walk-in/orders placed at the counter only.
4. » California Dreaming: Veterans and active-duty service members get 50% off any entrée Nov. 11 in Augusta.
5. » Chicken Salad Chick: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free meal and drink with valid military ID Nov. 11.
6. » Chili’s: Veterans and active duty service members receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11 at participating Chili’s Grill and Bar restaurants.
7. » Cicis Pizza: All veterans and active duty military personnel get a free buffet Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only, and it does not include taxes or drink.
8. » Denny’s: Veterans and military personnel receive a free Original Grand Slam on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to noon.
9. » Dunkin’: On Nov. 11, all active and retired military a free donut in honor of Veterans Day.
10. » Golden Corral: Active duty service members and veterans get a free dine-in meal Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. to close.
11. » Great Clips: Veterans and active service members can get a free haircut or a free haircut card for a future visit. If you’re a non-military customer, you can visit a salon on Nov. 11 and receive a free haircut card to give to a service member or veteran.
12. » Hooters: On Veterans Day, Nov. 11, all retired and active-duty military who present proof of service or a military ID, with the purchase of a beverage, may order one free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu. This offer is valid for dine-in only at participating Hooters locations.
13. » IHOP: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancakes on Nov. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
14. » Kroger: Current and retired members of military service can receive a 10% discount by presenting a valid military ID when shopping in-store.
15. » Little Caesars: On Nov. 11, veterans can receive a free lunch combo.
16. » Logan’s Roadhouse: Offering active duty and other veterans a free meal from a select menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Dine-in only, at participating restaurants. Proof of service required.
17. » MOD Pizza: On Nov. 11, all veterans and active military personnel and their spouses get the all-new Mega Cookie for free.
18. » Olive Garden: Veterans and current members of the military can receive a free entree from a special menu on Veterans Day.
19. » Panera Bread: Locations in Augusta, Evans and Grovetown will salute those in uniform with a free bagel and coffee on Veterans Day. Just wear your uniform or bring your valid military ID or discharge papers.
20. » Red Lobster: Offering active duty and veterans free Veteran’s Shrimp and Chips, on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Show proof of service. The restaurants offer 10% discount on the check the rest of the year, dine-in, with proof of service.
21. » Red Robin: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Red’s Tavern Double burger with free refills of Bottomless Steak Fries when they dine in Nov. 11.
22. » Sonic: On Monday, Nov. 11, shakes are half-price in any size or flavor.
23. » Starbucks: Veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses can get a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced brewed coffee on Veterans Day. The offer is limited to one per customer and must be ordered in store or by drive-though, not through the Starbucks app. Cold brew is not included.
24. » Take 5 Oil Change: Offers active duty and other veterans a year-round 25% discount on oil changes at participating locations. Show proof of service.
25. » Target: Through Nov. 11, all military personnel, veterans and their families can receive a two-time use storewide 10% discount with a Target Circle offer, valid both in-store and online.
26. » Texas Roadhouse: Free meals to veterans and active military members across the country on Veterans Day.
27. » Wendy’s: Free small breakfast combo available on Nov. 11 for veterans and active military.

Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.