Five men from Savannah have been sentenced to federal prison for illegal firearms possession in separate cases, as announced by U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap for the Southern District of Georgia. The sentences follow guilty pleas for being felons in possession of a firearm, with one case also involving fentanyl distribution.
Stephen Lodato, 39, received 165 months for ammunition possession after firearms were found during a domestic dispute investigation in March 2025. Jaime Alexander German, 31, was sentenced to 145 months for firearm possession and intent to distribute 491 grams of fentanyl, discovered during a May 2024 search warrant.
Todd Shane Pendergraph Jr., 37, received 57 months for firearm possession after attempting to flee a May 2024 traffic stop. Devontay Jones, 29, was sentenced to 46 months for firearm possession found during an August 2025 road rage incident. Jacorey D. Lockette, 32, received 22 months for firearm possession discovered during a March 2024 compliance check. There is no parole in the federal system.
U.S. Attorney Heap praised the efforts, saying, “We praise the vigilance of our law enforcement partners’ continued commitment to removing these weapons of violence from the streets of our community.” She added, “Through effective interagency cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we are ensuring those that violate the law are brought to justice.” These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI, Georgia State Patrol, and the Savannah Police Department.