Two men from South Georgia with prior criminal convictions were sentenced to prison on March 25 for illegally possessing firearms in separate cases connected to Operation Take Back America.
The sentences highlight ongoing efforts by federal and local authorities to address repeat offenders who illegally possess firearms, a matter of concern for community safety. Both individuals were on state parole at the time of their offenses.
Jacques Lamar Hill, also known as “Jac DaDon,” age 27, from Thomasville, received a sentence of 108 months in prison, which will run concurrently with any state sentence he is serving. He will also have three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Porterfield Stokes, age 69, from Valdosta, was sentenced to 180 months in prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to the same charge. Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands presided over both cases; there is no parole in the federal system.
“Repeat criminal offenders caught illegally possessing firearms in the Middle District of Georgia will find their cases in federal court, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Our office will continue to strongly enforce this federal law, as we work alongside our law enforcement partners at every level to protect communities.” Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta said: “Both Jacques Lamar Hill and Porterfield Stokes are repeat offenders who continue to pose a significant threat to our communities by illegally possessing firearms despite their prior criminal convictions… The FBI is committed to working alongside our local law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable and ensure that those who violate federal firearm laws face the full weight of the law.” Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan added: “These arrests and sentences demonstrate the strength of our partnership with our federal counterparts and our shared commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable… We will continue to work together to ensure they are removed from our streets and held accountable for their disregard of the law.”
Court documents show that Hill was investigated by FBI agents and Valdosta Police Department officers for armed drug trafficking out of his Williams Street apartment in Valdosta during 2020 while on state parole. Officers found multiple firearms including an AR-style rifle believed displayed on his public Facebook account along with drugs and cash during an April search warrant execution; Hill had several felony drug distribution convictions prior.
In Stokes’ case, police acted on a tip that he possessed guns and drugs at his North Troup Street home while on parole for a previous conviction related to marijuana distribution; officers found two pistols after Stokes admitted ownership when visited by police and his parole officer last November.
Both cases are part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crime networks as well as violent crime more broadly through coordinated action across agencies.
