Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Savannah Drug Dealer Sentenced to 200 Months for Drug and Firearm Offenses
SAVANNAH, GA: NATHANIEL THOMAS PUGH, III, 35, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced on March 15, 2018, to 200 months in federal prison by United States District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. Pugh was convicted on December 12, 2017, by a federal jury of possessing a firearm as a felon, possession of ethylone, commonly referred to as "Molly," with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking.
According to the evidence presented at trial, Pugh was involved in a shooting in the Oak Forest neighborhood of Savannah on November 4, 2015. After sustaining a gunshot wound, Pugh drove his bullet riddled car to the hospital. Savannah Chatham-Metro Police recovered a Glock firearm, loaded with a 30-round extended magazine in the glove compartment, which had Pugh’s DNA on it. Also in the car, officers recovered a treasure trove of drug paraphernalia, including almost an ounce of “Molly,” cocaine, pills, baggies and a scale. Text messages recovered from Pugh’s cell phone revealed that Pugh had engaged in several drug transactions prior to the shooting incident, and also revealed photographs of Pugh holding the firearm that was ultimately recovered from Pugh’s car.
Pugh’s criminal history dates back almost two decades and includes prior convictions for Driving Under the Influence, Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Controlled Substances, Terroristic Threats, Simple Battery and Willful Obstruction of Law Enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine said, “Gun-toting drug dealers like Nathaniel Pugh have no place in our community, except behind bars. Pugh’s lengthy sentence should stand out as a stark example of our office’s determination and commitment to aggressively prosecute and disarm those who plague our neighborhoods with drugs and violence.”
This case was brought as part of Project Ceasefire, a joint federal, state and local initiative to combat gun violence and ensure that repeat offenders are subject to stiffer federal sentences, all without the possibility of parole.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Savannah Chatham-Metro Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Carlton Bourne prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.