Two men with prior felony convictions were found guilty of federal crimes in separate trials held earlier this month in Southwest Georgia, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
Johnny Will Murray, Jr., 41, from Moultrie, was convicted on Nov. 5 of illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon after a three-day trial before Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands in Valdosta. Murray faces up to ten years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for March 12, 2026.
Lucis Lamar Williams, 42, from Pelham, was found guilty on Nov. 6 of four counts of methamphetamine distribution, two counts of aiding and abetting possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The trial lasted four days before Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner in Albany. Williams faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment. Sentencing is set for Feb. 26, 2026.
There is no parole available under the federal system.
“Our trial teams, in collaboration with our law enforcement partners, have successfully delivered justice to repeat offenders who continue to ignore the law and harm the community,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Agencies at all levels of law enforcement are working to improve community safety across the Middle District of Georgia and hold criminal offenders accountable.”
In Murray’s case, court documents indicate that on Nov. 11, 2021, Moultrie Police executed a search warrant at his home as part of an armed drug trafficking investigation. Officers discovered about two ounces of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia and several firearms inside his bedroom and closet safe; they also recovered cash and additional drugs concealed in a toilet. Murray has multiple prior felony convictions which prohibit him from possessing firearms.
For Williams’ case, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conducted an investigation into drug trafficking activities between September and December 2022 involving controlled purchases where Williams sold quantities ranging from one to four ounces of methamphetamine to informants or undercover agents. This marks Williams’ third major felony drug conviction.
The investigation into Murray was carried out by the Moultrie Police Department together with Colquitt County Sheriff’s Department Narcotics Division; Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels prosecuted the case.
Williams’ case was investigated by GBI and prosecuted by Criminal Chief Leah McEwen alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid.
This announcement concerns cases that occurred during the recent government shutdown period but is being released following resumption of normal operations.
