Jermaine Courtney Brown, a member of the Gangster Disciples gang, has been sentenced to prison for possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.

“Brown’s criminal conduct and the behavior of other suspected members of his violent street gang plague our community and jeopardize the safety of our citizens,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to combat gang violence and those who illegally possess firearms.”

“Brown clearly has not learned from prior convictions and continues to threaten the safety of our citizens,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI would like to thank the Cedartown Police Department for their diligence in arresting Brown once again. Because of their efforts Brown will have more time in prison to think about his future path.”

“The multi-jurisdictional cooperation encouraged and facilitated by Project Safe Neighborhoods is making a difference in the quality of life of our citizens. The Cedartown Police Department will continue to work with all our law enforcement partners to make our communities safer,” said Jamie Newsome, Chief of Police, Cedartown Police Department.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: On January 30, 2018, Cedartown Police Department officers observed Brown walking along an intersection in Cedartown, Georgia. The officers were familiar with Brown based on his prior contacts with law enforcement and his association with the Gangster Disciples, a well-known violent street gang suspected of being involved in numerous violent and drug-related crimes.  The officers were also aware of an outstanding failure to appear arrest warrant for Brown, stemming from an arrest in February 2017 for possessing a firearm as a felon.

Brown ran when he saw the officers and the officers pursued him on foot and by a patrol car. Brown threw away his cellphone and jacket as he ran, but they were later recovered.  After a short chase, Brown was apprehended. As the officers took Brown into custody, he stated that he was carrying a gun in his pants.  He also asked one of the officers, “can’t you just throw [the firearm] in the bushes? I already have too many charges on me.”

In addition to recovering a loaded Taurus Millennium PT145PRO .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, the officers recovered approximately 26.9 grams of marijuana and a digital scale. A court authorized a search of Brown’s cellphone, which revealed photos of Brown and other suspected gang members as well as a photograph of Brown pointing directly into the camera a firearm with a drum magazine that typically holds approximately 100 rounds of ammunition.

In addition to several misdemeanor convictions, Brown was convicted in 2008 of the felony offense of possession of cocaine in the Superior Court of Floyd County, Georgia. On March 19, 2018, Brown was also convicted in Floyd County, Georgia, of felon in possession of firearm for the February 2017 arrest.

Jermaine Courtney Brown, 28, of Cedartown, Georgia was sentenced January 10, 2019, to three years, one month in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release, and a $100 special assessment.  Brown pleaded guilty to the indictment on September 12, 2018, and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Cedartown Police Department.

PREVIOUS

Jermaine Courtney Brown, a suspected member of the Gangster Disciples gang, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while a convicted felon.

“Brown’s continued criminal behavior jeopardizes the safety of our citizens and shows an utter disregard for the law,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak. “Through the committed and collaborative work of our law enforcement partners, we will continue to vigorously prosecute those who illegally possess firearms within our community.”

“The FBI is committed to pursuing anyone who violates federal law and is a threat to our community,” said J.C. “Chris” Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.  “Brown’s persistent criminal behavior in support of a major gang will not be tolerated and the FBI will use all its resources to remove the threat and protect our citizens.”

“The Cedartown Police Department is committed to working together as a team with local, state, and federal agencies to make our neighborhoods safer by holding those accountable who commit violent crimes in our communities,” said Cedartown Police Chief Jamie Newsome.

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: Around January 30, 2018, Cedartown Police Department officers observed Brown walking along an intersection in Cedartown, Georgia. The officers were familiar with Brown based on his prior contacts with law enforcement and his suspected membership in the Gangster Disciples gang.  The officers were also aware of an outstanding arrest warrant for Brown, stemming from an arrest in February 2017 for possessing a firearm as a felon.

Brown ran when he saw the officers and the officers pursued him on foot and by a patrol car. After a short chase, Brown was apprehended and arrested. Following his arrest, Brown stated that he was carrying a gun in his pants.  He also asked one of the officers, “can’t you just throw [the firearm] in the bushes? I already have too many charges on me.”

In addition to recovering a loaded Taurus Millennium PT145PRO .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, the officers also recovered approximately 26.9 grams of marijuana and a digital scale. Brown was convicted in 2008 of possession of cocaine in the Superior Court of Floyd County, Georgia.

Jermaine Courtney Brown, 28, of Cedartown, Georgia is scheduled to be sentenced at 2:00 p.m. on November 30, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy.

PREVIOUS Feb 2017

Two Cedartown men, Cagney Lamont Brown, 32, and Jermaine Courtney Brown, 27, were arrested in Rome after they were found to illegally possess a gun.

Reports stated that they were arrested at Branham Avenue and Orlystes Drive.

Both are charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.