VALDOSTA, Ga. (WALB) - A 24-year-old Valdosta man could face up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing three firearms, including a stolen gun equipped with a machine gun conversion device.

According to court documents, Eddie Arnold was arrested on Jan. 9, 2025, at his Ponderosa Drive home while investigators were looking into a probation violation tied to a previous domestic violence conviction.

Investigators searched the home and found two semiautomatic firearms and a 9mm Glock that had been reported stolen in Gainesville, Florida. The Glock had a machine gun conversion device attached.

Arnold previously pleaded guilty to simple battery family violence in Lowndes County, making him prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Arnold pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a crime of domestic violence on Sept. 21.

He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes says, “This case underscores that people with prior domestic violence convictions, including misdemeanors, are generally prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law. Working with law enforcement, we are identifying repeat offenders with violent criminal pasts and bringing them to justice.”

WALB is working to obtain a mugshot of Eddie Arnold.

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