Two previously convicted felons from Georgia were sentenced to federal prison on firearms charges, according to an April 3 announcement by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The sentencing highlights ongoing efforts by federal authorities to address gun-related crimes involving individuals with prior felony convictions. Officials say such actions are aimed at maintaining community safety and enforcing strict regulations against illegal firearm possession.
Herman Lamont Dessasure, age 43 of Savannah, and Darvin Prest Morris, age 41 of Ludowici, both pleaded guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood determined that Dessasure qualified as an armed career criminal due to at least three previous violent felony convictions and sentenced him to 170 months in prison followed by four years of supervised release. Morris received a sentence of 110 months in prison, a $1,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
Dessasure was arrested in November 2021 after a security guard at Oglethorpe Mall noticed what appeared to be the outline of a firearm under his shirt and alerted police. Officers found a pistol tucked into his waistband; further investigation revealed that Dessasure’s criminal history barred him from possessing firearms.
Morris was indicted following an April 2021 incident where citizens detained him for police after he drove through someone’s yard in McIntosh County, brandished a firearm, and fired multiple shots. He had previously been convicted in federal court for illegally possessing a firearm as a felon.
“Our commitment to safe communities means absolutely no tolerance for convicted felons carrying guns,” said Heap. “If you’re prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a history of committing crimes, we’ll work with our law enforcement partners to take you off the streets.”
The cases were prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Makeia R. Jonese and John P. Harper III along with Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren C. Olsen.
