Three men face prison after ATF investigation into gun & drug sales in Macon

Three Macon men have pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court for their roles in a firearms and drug trafficking network as part of a larger Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigation in Macon, according to federal prosecutors.

Lonnie Alexander, 44, faces a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison to be followed by at least five years of supervised release after pleading guilty April 21 to one count of distribution of 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. He also faces a maximum $10 million fine. His sentencing is scheduled for July 9.

Brandon Thorpe, 32, faces up to 15 years in prison with three years of supervised release and a maximum $250,000 fine after pleading guilty April 23 to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. His sentencing date is pending.

John Cato, 25, of Macon, was sentenced Feb. 5 to serve 15 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty Nov. 19 to firearms trafficking.

“High-capacity firearms and ammunition, including a machine gun, were removed from the streets of Macon and the defendants were held accountable for their crimes as a result of this ATF-led investigation,” said William R. “Will” Keyes, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, in a news release.

In March 2024, ATF agents began investigating Alexander for illegal firearm sales, according to the news release. Over a year, he set up and carried out sales of guns, methamphetamine and cocaine at various locations in Macon, including near Mercer University.

By 2025, the investigation included Cato and Thorpe, who were involved in trafficking drugs and firearms, including machine guns and modified weapons, according to the release.

More than 30 firearms and large quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine and promethazine were seized during the course of the investigation, according to the release.

ATF Resident Agent in Charge Robert W. Davis said in the release that the case “underscores our relentless focus on repeat offenders who illegally sell guns and narcotics, putting lives at risk.”

Both Alexander and Thorpe had prior felony convictions, according to the release. The prior convictions were not specified in the release.

This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 4:24 PM.