Macon, GA – A jury has convicted Raymond Leverett, 36, in connection with the killing of John Lewis Flemming III, whose disappearance in 2018 baffled authorities for years until his remains were discovered in 2023. On January 23, 2026, Leverett was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, and armed robbery, according to the Macon Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office.

Leverett was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole, plus 20 years consecutively, falling short of the prosecution’s request for life without parole plus an additional life term. “Justice has been served for John Flemming and his family,” District Attorney Anita R. Howard said in a statement. “This verdict holds Raymond Leverett accountable for a profound betrayal of trust that ended in tragedy.”

The case began on September 19, 2018, when Flemming, 53, was allegedly shot and killed after seeking repayment for automotive work he had done for Leverett. When Flemming stopped communicating, his girlfriend and family reported him missing. For nearly five years, the case remained unsolved, leaving loved ones in anguish. Flemming’s remains were finally discovered on October 16, 2023, along a stretch of highway in East Macon, Georgia.

During the trial, prosecutors presented compelling evidence, including phone records showing Leverett and Flemming together on the day of the killing. Forensic testimony linked a firearm borrowed by Leverett to the fatal shooting. Additional evidence highlighted Leverett’s financial struggles and a sudden influx of cash after Flemming went missing. Investigators also recovered Flemming’s vehicle inside a concealed warehouse previously owned by Leverett’s former employer.