DALTON — A Whitfield County jury found J. Mayelo Puentes guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on July 18, 2026, following a one-day trial presided over by Chief Superior Court Judge Cindy Morris. Puentes, 29, of Dalton, was taken into custody after the verdict, and sentencing is scheduled for August 18, 2026.

The conviction stems from a fatal shooting on February 1, 2025, at Puentes' residence in Dalton. The victim arrived at the residence during the early morning hours. Puentes and the victim knew one another.

During the confrontation, the victim placed his hands around Puentes' neck. Puentes, a convicted felon, exited his residence carrying a firearm and shot the victim, who suffered a gunshot wound to the left thigh. The victim died from the gunshot wound sustained during the struggle.

After the shooting, Puentes left the scene and hid the firearm at his mother's residence. He turned himself in to authorities later on February 1, 2025. The Whitfield County Sheriff's Office investigated the incident.

Puentes was initially charged with felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The case was presented to the Whitfield County Grand Jury on March 28, 2025. The grand jury declined to indict Puentes on the felony murder charge but issued a special presentment charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Under Georgia law, convicted felons are prohibited from possessing firearms. Georgia law provides a limited exception for firearm possession during the justified use of deadly force to prevent death, great bodily injury, or the commission of a forcible felony. However, the exception does not apply to a felon's possession of a firearm before or after the use of deadly force when the possession itself is not legally justified.

A witness testified that he had seen Puentes in possession of the same firearm approximately one month before the shooting. Another witness testified that he and Puentes fired the handgun into the ground on New Year's 2025. The jury also viewed a handwritten note posted on the front door of Puentes' residence warning that anyone who rang the doorbell three times could be shot.

Puentes testified in his own defense and admitted he was a convicted felon. Court records showed Puentes entered a First Offender plea to possession of meth on March 21, 2017, and was adjudicated guilty on June 12, 2019. Puentes acknowledged possessing the firearm before the victim arrived at his residence and testified he had no prior knowledge the victim was coming to his home on the morning of the shooting.

Puentes told the jury he feared for his life after the victim grabbed him by the neck. He also told the jury that the firearm discharged during the struggle. Puentes admitted leaving the scene, taking the firearm to his mother's residence, and hiding it.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Keely Parker represented the state. Carter Thomas and Christina Moses of the Public Defender's Office represented Puentes.

This case underscores the careful responsibility law enforcement, prosecutors, the grand jury, and the trial jury each have in evaluating the facts and applying the law, District Attorney Benjamin Kenemer said. "While a homicide investigation naturally focuses on the loss of life, every case must ultimately be decided based on the evidence and the law."

Kenemer added that he appreciated the diligent work of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the citizens of Whitfield County who served on both the grand jury and trial jury throughout this case. Puentes faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.