COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A Georgia man already serving federal prison time for a prior conviction was found guilty by a federal jury of possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin while illegally possessing seven firearms and ammunition.
Nimesh Vijay Desai was found guilty March 4 on one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of a firearm, and one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The verdict followed a three-day trial that began March 2 before U.S. District Judge Clay Land.
Desai faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been scheduled. There is no parole in the federal system.
Searches yield drugs, firearms and cash
Law enforcement executed two searches Feb. 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai, stemming from an ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. Agents seized 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin, along with scales, grinders and $12,800. Seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, were also recovered.
Prior convictions and supervised release
At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release for 2012 convictions in the Middle District of Georgia for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon. He is currently serving 60 months in federal prison following revocation of that supervised release…