Macon man pleads guilty to federal gun charge for possessing firearm as convicted felon

46-year-old Terico Jaques Balkcom of Macon pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on March 31.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge on Monday for illegally possessing a firearm when he was taken into custody for violating his probation, according to the United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Georgia.

46-year-old Terico Jaques Balkcom of Macon pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on March 31. Balkcom faces a maximum of 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine

“It is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Our office is collaborating with our law enforcement partners to hold repeat convicted felons accountable when they are found violating federal law.”

The United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Georgia states that Balkcom was stopped by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) for having an obscured tag on May 20, 2024. Balkcom had an active warrant for violating state probation for a felony conviction out of Bibb County.

The GSP trooper smelled alcohol and performed a field sobriety test. Balkcom presented a fake ID, claiming to be “Benjamin Brown.” When the officer asked for his date of birth, Balkcom answered that it was a different date from what was on the fake identification. A GBI agent familiar with Balkcom arrived and confirmed it was Balkcom.

Balkcom was taken into custody based on the active probation warrant. According to the news release, agents found a 9mm pistol inside a Crown Royal bag that also contained Balkcom’s prescription medication. Balkcom was recorded on a jail phone call discussing the gun and also three ounces of marijuana that officers found inside the vehicle.

Balkcom had several prior convictions and probation violations in Bibb County Superior Court. He was on probation for a 2018 conviction in Bibb County for crossing state or county guard lines with weapons, intoxicants, or drugs without consent. The United States Attorney’s Office Middle District of Georgia says it is illegal for a convicted felon to possess a firearm.

“Ensuring public safety is our top priority, the GBI will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable who violate the law, especially those with a history of criminal behavior,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.