Domestic violence offender sentenced for possessing a sawed-off shotgun

NEWNAN, Ga. - Robert Bentley Davis was sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to possessing a sawed-off shotgun. The Troup County Sheriff’s deputies discovered the weapon in Davis’s residence after responding to a domestic violence call.

“Davis has a history of committing acts of violence, so his possession of an illegal sawed-off shotgun greatly increased the potential for a fatal incident to occur in the home,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Thankfully, through the coordinated work of our federal and local law enforcement partners, this dangerous and violent offender will now serve time in federal prison.”

“Anyone who uses a firearm to intimidate, threaten or terrorize another person poses a significant danger to everyone in our community,” said Special Agent in Charge Arthur Peralta. “ATF is committed to combating violent crime in all its forms.  Domestic violence destroys lives, separates families and often times results in significant physical and mental injury to its victims.  As a community, we must send a strong message that we will not tolerate this kind of behavior from anyone.  Mr. Davis displayed a clear disregard for our laws and his conviction and sentencing is a clear message that this conduct will not be tolerated.”

“The District Attorney’s office expresses our continued appreciation of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative and values working with the United States Attorney and other participants to keep our communities safe from violent crime,” said Herb Cranford, District Attorney for the Coweta Judicial Circuit. “We sincerely believe this initiative provides our local communities a crucial layer of protection against gun violence.  As a result, Robert Bentley Davis, who brutally assaulted his wife while in possession of a sawed-off shotgun, has been brought to justice.”

The Troup County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the hard work of our investigators and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their prosecution in this case, said Troup County Sheriff James Woodruff.  “Crimes of this nature are very serious and we are dedicated to working with our local, state and federal partners to bring justice.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: On September 12, 2017, Troup County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a residence in LaGrange, Georgia concerning a domestic dispute between Davis and his wife. Upon arrival, the deputies encountered Davis’s wife crying hysterically, and observed heavy bleeding from several areas of her head and severe bruises around her eyes. Davis continued to verbally assault of his wife after the deputies arrived on the scene.

Davis’s wife informed the deputies that her husband was concealing a firearm inside the residence. Officers subsequently recovered a half-cocked, Stevens Model 94C, .410 gauge sawed-off shotgun under a pillow in a couch in the living room. Officers then arrested Davis for the assault of his wife and for his unlawful possession of an unregistered sawed-off shotgun.

Robert Bentley Davis, 60, of LaGrange, Georgia was sentenced to one year in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Davis entered a guilty plea on June 29, 2018, to the offenses of unlawful possession of an unregistered firearm in violation of the National Firearms Act, and unlawful possession of a sawed-off shotgun.

This case was investigated as a part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative and exemplifies the collaborative work done by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, and the Coweta County Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office to assist the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the successful prosecution of this case. In keeping with the U.S. Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phyllis Clerk prosecuted the case.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.