An Ellabell man has been sentenced to federal prison following a firearms-related plea agreement.

The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge R. Stan Baker and announced by Margaret E. “Meg” Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Torrence Veal, 37, of Ellabell, Georgia, was sentenced to 108 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

There is no parole in the federal system. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.

According to court documents and testimony, Veal was found in possession of a Glock, Model 48, 9 mm pistol in Chatham County in December 2024. Police officers with the Chatham County Police Department responded to a shooting at a Motel 6 in Savannah where officers learned that an altercation between Veal and an employee of the motel had occurred.

After the initial altercation, Veal left and later returned, located the employee in the parking lot, and fired the weapon multiple times in the employee’s direction. Veal then discarded the firearm before fleeing the scene. A Chatham County firearm detection K-9 officer was dispatched to the location, and a search of the area resulted in the firearm being discovered in a nearby gutter.

Investigators later determined the firearm was stolen. Veal’s lengthy criminal history includes prior convictions for aggravated assault.

“This significant sentence is a reminder that illegally possessing a firearm is a serious offense,” said U.S. Attorney Heap. “Illegally possessed firearms are a threat to neighborhoods far and wide; and those who endanger the public will face the consequences for their crimes.”

“Within minutes of this crime occurring, Chatham County Police Department patrol officers, detectives, and forensic specialists were on the scene to interview witnesses and gather the crucial evidence needed to make an arrest,” said Chatham County Police Chief Jeff Hadley. “We are proud to partner with federal authorities in bringing repeat offenders to justice and keeping the streets of our county safe for everyone.”