A Valdosta man with previous drug convictions has been sentenced to nearly 19 years in federal prison after being found illegally in possession of a firearm during a traffic stop.
Cedric Jerome Maxwell, 49, received a sentence of 230 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. The sentence was handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands on February 26. Maxwell pleaded guilty on November 4, 2025, to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits parole.
“It is illegal for felony offenders to possess a firearm. Our office will seek federal prosecution against armed repeat offenders who continue to commit crimes in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “We are thankful to our law enforcement partners for their collaboration to hold convicted felons accountable for breaking the law and working to make our communities safer for everyone.”
ATF Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka stated, “The illegal possession of firearms by repeat offenders poses a threat to our neighborhoods. The ATF stands firm in its mission to deny criminals access to firearms, partnering with local law enforcement to ensure justice is served.”
Lowndes County Sheriff Ashley Paulk added, “We are thankful for the relationships we maintain with federal, state and local law enforcement to help get repeat criminals with guns off the streets and hold them accountable.”
Court records show that on June 2, 2022, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office stopped Maxwell’s vehicle for failing to maintain its lane. During the stop, an investigator detected marijuana odor and searched the vehicle legally. Authorities discovered bundles of cash and drugs—including cocaine and methamphetamine—in addition to a .40 caliber firearm inside the middle console. Marijuana was also found in the back seat. Maxwell had three prior felony drug convictions at the time.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative focused on combating illegal immigration and organized crime while protecting communities from violent crime.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels prosecuted it.
