A Vidalia man has been sentenced to 24 years in federal prison following an armed robbery at a local restaurant in May 2025. Authorities say the firearm used during the crime had been modified to function as a fully automatic machine gun.
Iran Darna Harris, 30, of Vidalia, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to Use of a Firearm During and in Relation to a Crime of Violence.
The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall and announced Friday by U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap of the Southern District of Georgia.
According to court documents and testimony, Harris entered a restaurant on East First Street in Vidalia in May 2025. While inside, Harris pulled out a Glock 22 .40-caliber pistol and demanded money from employees.
After the robbery, Harris attempted to flee the restaurant and discard both the firearm and stolen cash. A Toombs County Sheriff’s deputy apprehended Harris, and a subsequent search of the area where he fled uncovered the firearm and money taken during the robbery.
Federal authorities determined that the pistol was equipped with a machine gun conversion device, which allowed the weapon to fire automatically.
“This lengthy sentence sends a clear message that individuals who bring violence and fear into our community businesses will be held fully accountable,” said U.S. Attorney Heap.
“The quick actions of our local law enforcement partners prevented further danger and ensured this armed robber was brought to justice. We will continue to aggressively prosecute violent offenders to keep our neighborhoods safe.”
Brian Ozden, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting communities from violent crime. “Armed robberies that place innocent people in harm’s way have no place in our society and will not be tolerated,” Ozden said.
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Graves also addressed the seriousness of threatening employees with a firearm, noting that the sentence demonstrates the consequences of violent criminal conduct.
Harris will serve his sentence in the federal prison system, which does not offer parole. Following his prison term, he will be subject to five years of supervised release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and the Toombs County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Makeia R. Jonese prosecuted the case for the Southern District of Georgia.
Source: U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Georgia, October 23, 2026.
