Meriwether County man sentenced on federal drug and gun charges in Georgia’s Middle District

A Meriwether County resident with a history of felony convictions was found guilty of several serious charges this week. The verdict for Howatdrick Jamal Jones, 30, reflected one count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute, one count of possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Jones was arraigned in a trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Monday, Sept. 23, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

In the statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary noted, “Repeat armed offenders with ties to violent criminal gangs will be held accountable at the federal level.” He went on to cite the collaborative efforts of law enforcement in the Middle District of Georgia to address the threat posed by the most dangerous offenders in communities. The Attorney General’s Office, supported by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals, is positioned to pursue Jones’ case until sentencing, scheduled for December 12. It is worth noting that the federal system does not offer parole options, with the focus being on the life sentence Jones could receive.

The investigation that led to Jones’ conviction was a multi-agency effort involving the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Waverly Hall Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Jones was arrested on October 16, 2019, when a Waverly Hall Police Department officer stopped his vehicle for active warrants. A subsequent search of his car revealed drugs, paraphernalia, and a concealed .45 caliber handgun — a significant detail given Jones’ status as a convicted felon, who is prohibited from possessing a weapon.

Commenting on the seriousness of the operations that lead to such arrests, DEA Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy said, “Guns, drugs and violence are unfortunately all too common tools of the drug trafficking organizations operating in our communities.” He reaffirmed the DEA’s commitment to holding violent drug traffickers accountable. Echoing this sentiment, Waverly Hall Police Chief Jason Durham issued a statement acknowledging the tireless efforts of law enforcement in the case, saying, “This is yet another proven example that illegal drugs and guns will not be tolerated,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

The conviction adds to Jones’ troubled legal history, as he was also convicted of bank robbery on September 20, 2023. He is currently serving a life sentence for the crime in Pike County, Georgia Superior Court. The case is a testament to the ongoing collaboration between local and federal authorities to stem the flow of narcotics and the associated violence within communities.