Savannah man sentenced to at least 35 years for gun and drug trafficking

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - A Savannah man has been convicted on multiple drug and firearm charges and sentenced to a minimum of 35 years, according to a press release from the Savannah Police Department.

The SPD says Maurice “Bando” Williams, 23, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted after a two-day trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia on charges of possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute, illegal possession of a machinegun, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.

Officials say in September 2024, officers with the Savannah Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Williams was the backseat passenger.

During the stop, officers found Williams to be in possession of a machinegun with an extended magazine, oxycodone, a digital scale, packaging materials, cash, and at least 300 grams of marijuana, according to the press release.

The case was referred to the United States Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution.

Williams was indicted on eight separate counts, with three stemming from this traffic stop, the SPD says.

On Monday, October 27, 2025, Williams went to trial. The release states that after two-days, the jury found Williams guilty on all charged counts.

The Honorable Lisa Godbey Wood presided over the trial.

“This was great work all around, from arrest to conviction,” said Lenny B. Gunther, Savannah Chief of Police. “We are truly grateful for the hard work put into this case by our federal partners.”

The case was being investigated by the Savannah Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted for the United States by Special Assistant United States Attorney Makeia R. Jonese and Assistant United States Attorney L. Alexander Hamner, according to the release.