Georgia Man with Prior Aggravated Assault Conviction Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing a Firearm (DOJ)

VALDOSTA, Ga. - A South Georgia man with prior assault and drug convictions was sentenced to prison after police found him with a stolen gun following a traffic stop and car crash.

Ricky Hill, 39, of Lakeland, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 130 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by Senior U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Jan. 29. Hill pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on Oct. 1, 2025. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Convicted felons with violent criminal histories who are caught with illegal firearms will be prosecuted federally, where there is no parole," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "We are working with law enforcement at every level to identify and prosecute repeat offenders with stolen guns."

"This case underscores our commitment to ensuring that individuals with violent criminal histories face the full force of the law. We will not allow convicted felons to jeopardize public safety with illegal firearms," said ATF Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.

"We are grateful to the United States Attorney's Office for their steadfast partnership and persistence in cases like this one. Their commitment to pursuing federal charges against violent offenders who are illegally in possession of firearms, sends a clear message that this type of dangerous behavior will not be tolerated in our community," said Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan. "Working together, we are holding individuals accountable and making our neighborhoods safer for the families we serve."

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a Valdosta Police Department officer pulled Hill over for driving without headlights or taillights at night on Sept. 16, 2024, on East Hill Avenue. Hill did not have a license and, while holding his phone in his left hand, began reaching under the driver seat, stating he was searching for his phone. The officer observed a magazine for a firearm on the passenger seat of the vehicle and instructed Hill to stop reaching under his seat and exit the car. Hill put his vehicle in drive, accelerated and fled from the traffic stop. Hill then drove his car into a utility pole and ran from his car. Officers located Hill and took him into custody. Officers found a stolen Glock firearm under the front seat, where Hill had been reaching during the traffic stop, along with a 33-round magazine extension, 35 rounds of 9mm ammunition and $2,565 in the car or on Hill. Hill has prior felony convictions for aggravated assault and distributing cocaine. It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.

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 (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).

The Valdosta Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels is prosecuting the case for the Government.