Alice Barrett has logged in at 2023-12-28 16:28:23
Alice Barrett has logged in at 2023-12-28 16:28:23

ALBANY, Georgia — A southwest Georgia resident with a violent history, including convictions for aggravated assault and gang involvement, pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.

Omar Malik Miller, 35, of Albany, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon before US District Judge Leslie Gardner. Miller faces a maximum of ten years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $250,000. A conviction is not planned. There is no probation in the federal system.

“Repeat offenders with violent criminal records have nothing to do with possession of a firearm and will face federal consequences for this crime,” said US Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Federal agencies are working closely with our local law enforcement partners to identify the most disruptive and violent individuals in the communities we serve and hold them accountable for their crimes at the federal level.”

“The safety of our community is paramount and those who refuse to behave peacefully and lawfully will be held accountable at the highest level. Gun and gang violence harms our community, and we as a whole must be involved to prevent further destruction for our future generations,” said Albany Police Department Chief Michael Persley.

According to court documents, Miller was wanted in June 2021 pending local warrants. Albany Police Department officers working with the US Marshals went to an apartment building on Ridgemont Road where Miller was staying on June 11 and found a .40 caliber handgun. Miller told officers he found the firearm in an alley and plans to sell it.

Miller has prior convictions in Superior Court in Dougherty County, Georgia, for aggravated assault, participation in gang activity and possession of a firearm while committing a felony.

This case is being pursued as part of the joint federal, state and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s efforts to reduce violent crime. PSN is an evidence-based program that has been shown to be effective in reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a wide range of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime issues 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 re-entry programs to sustainably reduce crime.

The case was investigated by the Albany Police Department, the US Marshals and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Assistant US Attorney Matthew Redavid is pursuing the case for the government.