Three probation revocations and new charges for theft and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon equaled eight years to serve in prison for a Jones County defendant.
Dakota James Harper, 28, was in Jones County Superior Court to enter a guilty plea for his most recent charges Feb. 28. He received a sentence of three years for the charge of theft by taking and five years for possession of the firearm.
The sentences are to run consecutively for a total of eight years to serve in confinement. The defendant was given credit for time he served in custody from Jan. 4.
In addition to the new charges, Harper’s probation was revoked for three previous cases. The end date of two of the sentences was Oct. 19, 2025, and the last sentence’s end date was May 28, 2033.
The charges for the probation cases included entering auto, theft by taking and burglary.
Harper’s most recent arrest was Jan. 4. He was charged with felony theft by taking motor vehicle, felony theft by taking firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and probation violations. A report of the theft by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Nolan Sullivan stated he was dispatched to an address on McKay Road Jan. 4, just after 8 a.m., in reference to a stolen vehicle. The deputy said he spoke to the complainant when he arrived and found out the 2022 Dodge Ram truck was discovered missing that morning.
The time of the theft was estimated between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. The complainant said he noticed the truck was missing when he went to take his kids to school. The complainant added that there was a gun in the truck, described as a Springfield Armory XDM Elite 9mm.
Sheriff Butch Reece announced Harper’s arrest for the thefts in a Jan. 5 Facebook post.
Reece said Jones County investigators located the stolen vehicle later the same day it was reported stolen at a residence in south Bibb County.
The sheriff said deputies with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office SRT Unit made entry into the residence and made contact with Harper, who was found in possession of the stolen firearm.
He said the offender was also linked to the stolen vehicle and taken into custody.
“Harper was released from the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections less than one month ago. Apparently, he missed his previous accommodations,” Reece said. “I will try to return him to his preferred residence as soon as possible.” He also thanked the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office for its prompt and professional response.
