Description: Macon, Georgia criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with illegally possessing an assault weapon he used during a 2022 shoot-out in Twiggs County, Georgia.

Jayvon Latrez Anthony, 30, of Jeffersonville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm by a person under felony indictment.

“It’s fortunate no one was killed during this highly volatile shoot-out where the defendant was armed with an assault-style weapon, firing off at least 17 rounds,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Through Project Safe Neighborhoods and our strong partnership with law enforcement at every level, violent convicted criminals caught illegally with assault weapons and other firearms will see their local cases get federal attention here in the Middle District of Georgia.”

“As a result of this guilty plea, Mr. Anthony will be off the streets and unable to possess or use firearms,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “ATF takes it very seriously when offenders illegally possess firearms, putting our community at risk.”

“I’m pleased to know that another violent offender is off the streets and is no longer a threat to our community,” said Twiggs County Sheriff Darren Mitchum. “I commend my deputies and investigators for the thorough job they did with this investigation. It was only by the grace of God that no lives were lost due to such a careless act.”

According to court documents, Anthony was armed with an AK-47 style pistol when he exchanged gunfire with Tre’Vonte Tharpe on July 22, 2022, on Shine Road in Jeffersonville (Twiggs County). Both Anthony and his mother were struck by bullets in the shoot-out; Anthony was treated and released by a hospital for his injuries. Officers recovered 17 spent rounds from Anthony’s assault pistol and one 9mm round fired by Tharpe. Officers executed a search warrant at the Shine Road residence and found the AK-47 style pistol and firearm magazine under the kitchen sink belonging to Anthony. The firearm was covered in blood and still had a loaded magazine in it with a live round in the chamber. Anthony has a criminal record, including a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault in Bibb County, Georgia, Superior Court.

This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

The case was investigated by ATF and the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Outcome: Defendant elected to plead guilty. Anthony faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine. Sentencing will occur at a date determined by the Court. The defendant is not eligible for parole.

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