SAVANNAH, Ga. () – Two Savannah residents are among a group of six in a recently returned indictment alleging the individuals illegally possessed firearms.

“Getting guns out of the hands of those who can’t legally possess them is a vital part of the effort to reduce violent crime,” said Tara M. Lyons, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We applaud our law enforcement partners for their diligent work in keeping our communities safe.”  

The cases are a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods in collaboration with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI.

The collaboration is part of an effort to reduce violent crime with measures that include targeting convicted felons who illegally possess guns.

Those indicted in February include:

• Taron Charleston, 20, of Dublin, Georgia, charged with Illegal Possession of a Machine Gun;
• Shanan Lee Grover, 35, of Wrightsville, Ga., is charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Timothy Lee Cheeks, 37, of Augusta, is charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; and,
• Charles Harmon Porter, 54, of Savannah, is charged with Possession of Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.

Also previously indicted are:

• Stephen Joseph Sala, 33, of Augusta, was charged with Possession of an Unregistered Firearm (referring to a short-barreled rifle); and,
• Jahmz Ransom, 24, of Savannah, was charged with Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

For more information from the ATF on the lawful purchasing of firearms, please click here.