Convicted Felons with Firearms Sentenced in Operation Take Back America Cases

ALBANY, Ga. - Two South Georgia men with prior criminal convictions who were both on state parole at the time of their federal offenses have been sentenced to prison for illegally possessing firearms in separate Operation Take Back America cases.

Jacques Lamar Hill aka "Jac DaDon," 27, of Thomasville, was sentenced to serve 108 months in prison to be served concurrently to any state prison sentence in Lowndes County, Georgia, Superior Court Case No. 2021CR962A to be followed by three years of supervised release in Case No. 7:24-CR-23-001 on March 25. Hill pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on April 30, 2025.

Porterfield Stokes, 69, of Valdosta, was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release in Case No. 7:24-CR-31-001 on March 25. Stokes pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on May 1, 2025.

Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands presided over the cases. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Repeat criminal offenders caught illegally possessing firearms in the Middle District of Georgia will find their cases in federal court, where there is no parole," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "Our office will continue to strongly enforce this federal law, as we work alongside our law enforcement partners at every level to protect communities."

"Both Jacques Lamar Hill and Porterfield Stokes are repeat offenders who continue to pose a significant threat to our communities by illegally possessing firearms despite their prior criminal convictions," said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. "The FBI is committed to working alongside our local law enforcement partners to hold individuals accountable and ensure that those who violate federal firearm laws face the full weight of the law."

"These arrests and sentences demonstrate the strength of our partnership with our federal counterparts and our shared commitment to holding repeat offenders accountable," said Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan. "Individuals who choose to illegally possess firearms pose a dangerous threat to our community. We will continue to work together to ensure they are removed from our streets and held accountable for their disregard of the law."

According to court documents and statements referenced in court in the Hill case, FBI agents and Valdosta Police Department officers were investigating armed drug trafficking by Hill out of his Williams Street apartment in Valdosta in 2020. Hill, who was on state parole at the time and is a confirmed member of a criminal street gang, sold marijuana and alprazolam two times to a confidential informant during controlled purchases. Under surveillance, agents observed frequent drug activity from Hill's apartment. Agents executed a search warrant on April 9, 2020, and found a stolen semi-automatic pistol with a 16-round capacity magazine, a Beretta pistol with a magazine and an AR-style rifle with a large magazine. In addition, officers found ammunition and a large amount of marijuana along with individual bags of marijuana, alprazolam pills, digital scales and cash. As part of the investigation, officers reviewed Hill's public Facebook account, which displayed photos of Hill holding large quantities of cash and firearms. One photo posted to Hill's account on March 12, 2020, showed him standing by a white vehicle holding the AR-style rifle, which appeared to be the exact one seized by officers at his apartment on April 9, 2020. Hill is being held accountable for possessing the AR-style rifle and the Beretta pistol. At the time, Hill was wanted on an outstanding warrant in Thomas County, Georgia. Hill has a lengthy criminal record to date, including several felony drug distribution convictions and a violation of the Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act in Thomas County.

According to court documents and statements referenced in court in the Stokes case, the Valdosta Police Department received a tip in November 2023 that Stokes, a convicted felon on parole, had firearms and drugs at his home on North Troup Street. On Nov. 8, 2023, police and his parole officer went to Stokes' residence. Stokes let them inside and admitted to having two firearms and showed officers where he was keeping the pistols in his bedroom. Stokes has a lengthy criminal record in the community spanning nearly five decades, with convictions for felony drug distribution, aggravated assault and illegally possessing firearms. He was on parole for a 2018 state conviction for possession with intent to distribute marijuana at the time of this federal offense.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The Hill case was investigated by the FBI and the Valdosta Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit prosecuted the case for the Government.

The Stokes case was investigated by the FBI and the Valdosta Police Department with assistance from the Georgia Department of Community Supervision. Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels prosecuted the case for the Government.