Crisp County Resident Sentenced for Stealing 62 Firearms from Macon Pawn Shop

MACON, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia resident with a criminal past who broke into a Macon pawn shop and stole 62 firearms was sentenced to serve nine years in federal prison for his crime.

Rontavious Jamal Jackson, 34, of Cordele, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on Feb. 27. Jackson previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Aug. 13, 2024. There is no parole in the federal system.

“This case demonstrates the collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners to bring criminal gun traffickers to justice,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Law enforcement at every level is committed to preventing illegal firearms from getting into the hands of criminals.”

“We take this crime very seriously," said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka. “There were 62 firearms on the street, with the strong potential of being sold to or used by other criminals. Stealing firearms is a serious offense which results in significant federal prison time for all those responsible.”

“We can hope this case sends a clear message to convicted felons of the serious consequences of the possession of firearms. I am grateful for the relationship between the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office and our federal partners to continue to remove these potentially dangerous individuals from our streets,” said Bibb County Sheriff David J. Davis.

"I am incredibly proud of our agency's efforts and the successful collaboration between our local and federal partners. These stolen weapons could have been used to take innocent lives. Our commitment to protecting our community remains unwavering, and this case is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together," said Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock.

According to court documents and statements made in court, surveillance footage filmed two individuals, including one believed to be Jackson, entering Howard’s Pawn & Jewelry—a federally licensed firearms dealer—at 3:00 a.m. on April 5, 2023, and collect 62 firearms into garbage bags. Pieces of concrete blocks were on the floor from a large hole smashed in from outside the store. On April 12, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office investigators learned from three sources that Jackson had stolen weapons at his Cordele residence. Agents executed a search warrant that same day and recovered 32 firearms. The firearms matched the serial numbers of the stolen guns. Price tags for nine guns were found, along with assorted ammunition, firearm parts and accessories, including ten magazines. Jackson has a prior felony conviction; it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Department of Community Supervision (DCS).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom prosecuted the case for the Government.