Columbus Repeat Offender Sentenced to Prison for Armed Drug Trafficking

COLUMBUS, Ga. - A Georgia man with a violent criminal record, whose supervised release was revoked for previously assaulting a federal officer, was sentenced to more than 10 years in prison on top of his current 60-month term after a federal jury convicted him of multiple drug and gun offenses.

"This defendant and others like him who continue to violate the law and endanger others will be held accountable in the Middle District of Georgia, where there is no parole," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "We will continue to work with law enforcement to ensure that repeat offenders face justice."

"This defendant callously picked up right where he left off from prior convictions," said Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Thomas Clark. "The FBI will continue to investigate anyone who repeatedly violates the law by illegally arming themselves and committing crimes that continue to harm the community."

Nimesh Vijay Desai, 44, of Columbus, was sentenced to serve 121 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on Aug. 3. Desai was found guilty of one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, and one count of possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon on March 4, following a three-day trial that began on March 2, before U.S. District Judge Clay Land. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, law enforcement executed two search warrants on Feb. 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai, resulting from an ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. During the searches, agents seized 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin, along with scales and grinders often used in the distribution of illegal drugs, and $12,800.

Law enforcement also recovered seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, all belonging to Desai. At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release for his 2012 convictions in the Middle District of Georgia for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon. Desai is currently serving 60 months in federal prison because of a revocation of his supervised release for these prior convictions. Today's sentence will run consecutively to his current 60-month federal sentence.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the Muscogee County Sheriff's Office.

Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government, with assistance from U.S. Attorney Richard Rettig.