Savannah resident Ernest Jackson, 36, was sentenced on March 12 for his role in a counterfeiting scheme spanning Chatham, Bryan, Bulloch, and McIntosh Counties, as well as for his possession of a firearm.
Senior District Court Judge William T. Moore Jr. sentenced Jackson to 60 months’ confinement for the counterfeiting offense and a concurrent term of 180 months’ confinement for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The prosecution was part of Project Ceasefire, which targets dangerous felons and drug traffickers with firearms in the Savannah area.
“Law enforcement’s top priority is the safety of our citizens. We will bring the full force of justice on dangerous criminals who possess firearms,” U.S. Attorney Bobby Christine said. “Those dangerous felons who possess firearms will be investigated, prosecuted, and can expect to serve lengthy sentences in federal prison.”
Evidence during the sentencing hearing emphasized that Jackson possessed the firearm at issue after earning multiple felony convictions for armed robbery, aggravated assault, carjacking and aggravated assault upon a police officer.
Jackson’s criminal history designated him as an “armed career criminal,” which requires a mandatory minimum 15-year term of confinement. Additionally, ballistics testing linked Jackson’s firearm to multiple unsolved Savannah-area shootings.
The case was investigated and prosecuted with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, the Savannah Police Department, the Richmond Hill Police Department, the Bryan County Sheriff’s Office, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia State Patrol.
“The U.S. Secret Service, with its local and state partners, will continue to work towards protecting our communities from gun violence by aggressively targeting those gun carrying felons that come onto our radar for criminal offenses like counterfeiting, credit card fraud or other federal violations,” Glen Kessler, resident agent-in-charge of the U.S. Secret Service said.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer G. Solari prosecuted the case against Jackson for the United States.