Seventeen-Time Felon Sentenced For Possessing Assault Weapon Ammunition

ATLANTA - Keith Wade was sentenced in federal court today to serve over 16 years in federal prison after a jury found him guilty on September 27, 2012, of possession of ammunition by a convicted felon.   

“This seventeen-time felon has been victimizing the citizens of Georgia for over 20 years, committing crime after crime, many of which involved firearms,” said United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates.  “Assault weapons and high capacity magazines in the hands of convicted felons like the defendant threatens the safety of law enforcement and the citizens of Georgia.”

“The criminal history of the defendant (Wade) shows a complete and utter disregard for the lives of others as well as for their personal pursuits,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Christopher Shaefer. “As an agency and unified law enforcement community, we will not tolerate armed violent felons continually terrorizing and reducing the quality of life in the neighborhoods where we live, work, and play.”

According to United States Attorney Yates the charges and other information presented in court or contained in public documents: Wade was on parole when his parole officer received a call from a person who wished to remain anonymous.  The caller stated that the defendant was threatening him and his girlfriend.  The girlfriend had dated Wade at one time.  The caller told the defendant’s parole officer that Wade had made threatening phone calls, sent threatening text messages, and had driven past the caller’s house several times.  The caller forwarded one of the text messages, which included a picture of the defendant holding an assault rifle.

On December 29, 2010, the defendant’s parole officer, along with Special Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, conducted a search of the defendant’s residence in College Park, Ga.  During the search, officers found two fully loaded assault rifle magazines containing 60 rounds of 7.62 mm ammunition and a box containing 24 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.  Because he was a convicted felon, Wade was prohibited from possessing ammunition.

Prior to Wade’s arrest in December 2010, he had been convicted of at least 17 felonies, including drug-related convictions, theft, and several violent felonies.  The defendant’s violent felony convictions include felony obstruction of law enforcement, battery, and attempted armed robbery. 

Wade, 43, of College Park, Ga. was convicted of violating Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g) and 924(e), and sentenced before Senior United States District Court Judge Willis B. Hunt, Jr. to serve 16 years, 3 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release.  Because this conviction was rendered after the defendant sustained three prior violent felonies, the law required a mandatory minimum confinement period of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Assistant United States Attorney Leslie J. Abrams 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 HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.