Waters Arrested by VPD for Possession of Firearm by Convicted Felon and Other Actions
By Carol A. Gasser Moore
VALDOSTA, LOWNDES COUNTY, Georgia – Allen Maurice Waters (19) was located by Valdosta Police Department (VPD) Detectives on Monday, June 24th about 2:15 p.m. The detectives were in the area of Ora Lee West Apartments when they observed Waters walking with a firearm concealed in the front of his clothing.
The officer’s observation led them to an attempt to speak with Waters. Instead of speaking with VPD officers, Waters chose to flee on foot. Within a short time, VPD Detectives located Waters walking from behind a residence in the 700 block of East Jane Street. They clearly saw Waters holding a firearm in his hand. In response, detectives gave Waters a verbal command. Upon hearing the officer’s directive, Waters dropped the gun and began to run again on foot. VPD officers followed Waters in a short foot pursuit. They were able to take Waters into custody.
Waters pulled away from the VPD Detectives and started to run again as detectives attempted to walk Waters to a vehicle,. Immediately Waters was taken back into custody. Maurice Waters continued to resist his arrest by physically pulling away from detectives. Once in the police vehicle, Waters ended his resistance.
In the mean time, as officers began to check the area where Waters dropped his firearm, a VPD K9 Unit located a bag of marijuana. As officers checked Waters’ record, they learned that he had four (4) active felony arrest warrants, that were not related to this case.
Waters was transported to Lowndes County Jail, and he has been charged with:
- Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon;
- Possession of marijuana-misdemeanor;
- Tampering with evidence-misdemeanor;
- Obstruction of an officer-misdemeanor; and
- 4 active felony arrest warrants.
Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan has stated, “This great proactive work by our detectives resulted in the seizure of a firearm from a convicted felon and the arrest of a person who had several active felony warrants.”
The Valdosta Police Department does request that if anyone has any further information on this case or any other cases, please contact the Valdosta Police Department Bureau of Investigative Services at 229-293-3145, the crime tip line at 229-293-3091, or file a tip online at www.valdostacity.com/police-department.
