Two Georgia men plead guilty to federal firearms charges

Two Georgia men with criminal histories pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges as part of separate Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Georgia men with criminal histories pleaded guilty to federal firearms charges as part of separate Project Safe Neighborhoods investigations.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, 45-year-old Travis Marcia Davis of Macon admitted to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The court will determine if Davis is classified as an “armed career criminal,” which could result in a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. If he is not classified as an “armed career criminal,” Davis could face up to 10 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

48-year-old Johnny Grilliot, also known as “Julio,” of Calhoun, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Grilliot could face up to 15 years in prison, three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine.

Both men entered their guilty pleas before U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on August 26. Sentencing dates haven’t been set yet.

“These cases demonstrate the ongoing efforts by federal, state, and local law enforcement in Macon and across the Middle District of Georgia to protect communities from gun violence,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said. “We are thankful for the valuable work of our law enforcement partners to help us hold these individuals accountable for crimes that jeopardize the safety of our communities.”

According to court documents and statements made in Court in the Davis case, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) started the investigation into Davis in May 2022 for firearms trafficking. According to court documents, agents used a confidential informant to make controlled purchases of firearms and ammunition from Davis at various locations in the Macon area, including his home. During these transactions, agents acquired 12 firearms, including a .380 caliber handgun with an obliterated serial number and a sawed-off shotgun. Davis, who has a prior felony conviction, is prohibited from possessing firearms.

In Grilliot’s case, Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) agents arrested him on September 1, 2023, during a narcotics conspiracy investigation at a rest stop off I-475. A search of the 18-wheeler Grilliot was driving revealed a loaded .40 caliber pistol, a small bag of suspected methamphetamine and a pipe with suspected methamphetamine residue. Grilliot was previously convicted of possessing an unregistered firearm and was on supervised release at the time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the cases for the government.