Charlie Sapp, a 58-year-old resident of Savannah, has been sentenced to the statutory maximum of 120 months in federal prison for possession of ammunition by a prohibited person. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Randal Hall following Sapp’s conviction at trial. In addition to the prison term, Sapp will serve three years of supervised release and pay a $1,500 fine. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
U.S. Attorney Margaret Heap commented on the outcome: “This prosecution should send a clear message to those that violate the law in the Southern District of Georgia. This office will work tirelessly to ensure the community is protected from violent felons.”
The conviction stems from an incident on October 8, 2021, when Sapp retrieved a loaded firearm from a vehicle and confronted an individual in an apartment complex parking lot. He pointed the weapon at the individual and fired three shots, resulting in that person’s death at the scene. Although police did not recover the firearm used, two shell casings found at the scene were sufficient evidence for conviction. Sapp was barred from possessing ammunition due to previous felony convictions in Chatham County.
At sentencing, Judge Hall granted the government’s request to enhance Sapp’s sentence because his actions amounted to second-degree murder.
Sapp had previously faced trial for this conduct in November 2022 under state charges brought by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office; that trial ended without a conviction.
ATF Acting Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Davis stated: “Every bullet represents a potential threat to public safety; we will continue to work diligently to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands.”
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Savannah Police Department and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Makeia R. Jonese and Assistant United States Attorney Ryan Bondura.
