A three-year crime spree involving over 13 pounds of marijuana, multiple firearms, and two violent assaults has come to an end as the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office announced today that Jaquez Devontae Durham, 25, has been sentenced to 20 years with 10 years to serve in confinement. Durham’s sentencing on April 2, 2025, follows his guilty pleas to six separate indictments spanning from 2021 to 2024.
Durham entered guilty pleas to six separate indictments, including trafficking in marijuana, multiple counts of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, and two counts of aggravated assault on other inmates while he was in the Bibb County jail. The guilty plea allowed for the resolution of all pending charges against Durham, who had been arrested multiple times between 2021 and 2024.
Over 13 pounds of marijuana was seized.
“This case demonstrates our Office’s commitment to getting drug dealers off the street and holding repeat offenders accountable with prison time and the forfeiture of assets acquired through this illegal activity including cars and money,” said District Attorney Anita Howard. “The defendant’s pattern of continued criminal behavior shows a clear disregard for the law.”
Case Background
The case, as presented by Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Johnson, showed that Durham’s criminal activity dated back to November 2021, when officers found a large quantity of individually packaged marijuana and a firearm in his possession. In May 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant for Durham’s residence and vehicles, recovering approximately 12 pounds of marijuana, a firearm, and cash. From this seizure, the District Attorney’s Office, through a legal forfeiture proceeding, was able to obtain a total of $33,075.00 in cash and a 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass for the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for their law enforcement use in accordance with the applicable laws.
Over $33,000 in cash was forfeited.
Durham was also arrested in June 2023 with individually packaged marijuana and a firearm. Durham was arrested, again, in May 2024 when a routine traffic stop for a seatbelt violation led to the discovery of more marijuana and another firearm. While in custody, Durham also participated in assaults on other inmates.
Laboratory testing by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation confirmed that Durham’s combined marijuana seizures totaled over 13 pounds.