Local gang member sentenced to federal prison for threatening a tow truck driver with a gun

ATLANTA - Terry M. Williams has been sentenced to federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, after Williams threatened a tow truck driver with a gun to prevent his vehicle from being towed.  He also threatened to shoot and kill the apartment maintenance man who called for the tow.  Williams is a three-time convicted felon and self-professed member of the “Duct Tape” gang.

“Williams threatened to kill two people who were simply doing their jobs,” said U.S. Attorney Byung J. “BJay” Pak.  “He then audaciously attempted to influence the testimony of the maintenance employee while in local custody.  Williams, a three-time convicted felon and local gang member, will no longer be a menace to the community.  This case demonstrates how Project Safe Neighborhoods is strategically and aggressively working to make our communities safer.”

“Even after three felony convictions, Williams showed no indication he would change and continued to be a menace to society,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Atlanta field office. “We will use every legal resource to protect our citizens and keep criminals like Williams where they can do no harm, and this case reflects that.”

According to U.S. Attorney Pak, the charges and other information presented in court: On January 8, 2018, a tow truck driver attempted to remove Williams’ vehicle which was improperly parked at a DeKalb County apartment complex.  After Williams noticed his vehicle on the tow truck, he blocked in the tow truck driver using another vehicle.  Williams then exited his vehicle, pointed a gun at the tow truck driver, and demanded that the driver remove Williams’ vehicle from the tow truck or be killed.  Fearing for his life, the tow truck driver removed Williams’ vehicle from the tow truck.  Williams then turned his anger on the apartment maintenance employee who called for the tow.  Williams threatened to kill the maintenance employee and shoot up the apartment complex in a profanity-laced rant, which the employee recorded on his cellular telephone.  Williams then fled the scene and was later arrested after a traffic stop. 

While in custody in the DeKalb County jail, Williams instructed his girlfriend to locate the maintenance employee and have him sign an affidavit on Williams’s behalf in an effort to dismiss the charges.  The gun which Williams used to threaten the tow truck driver was later found in the apartment which Williams shared with his girlfriend, together with a quantity of crack and powder cocaine.  Williams illegally possessed this firearm after being previously convicted of three prior felonies involving drug possession, drug distribution, and theft.  The evidence also revealed that Williams had been causing problems at the apartment complex for months preceding this incident, including brandishing a gun in his waistband and threatening an off-duty police sergeant who lived at the same complex.

Terry M. Williams, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia, has been sentenced to three years, eight months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.  Williams was convicted of these charges on December 11, 2018, after he pleaded guilty during his jury trial.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and DeKalb County Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Herskowitz, Chief, Cyber and Intellectual Property Crime Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Morris prosecuted the case.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).  In keeping with the Attorney General’s mission to reduce violent crime, the Northern District of Georgia’s PSN program focuses on prosecuting those individuals who most significantly drive violence in our communities, and supports and fosters partnerships between law enforcement and schools, the faith community, and local community leaders to prevent and deter future criminal conduct.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016.  The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.