A federal indictment has been unsealed, revealing charges against 37 individuals accused of participating in a significant drug trafficking operation across several communities in south Georgia. The case, known as USA v. Brinson, et al., includes charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, oxycodone, and marijuana.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Tara M. Lyons, announced the indictment. She stated that conviction on these charges could result in life imprisonment for most defendants, along with financial penalties and supervised release after any prison term.
"This operation makes it clear that rural communities aren’t immune from the scourge of drug trafficking," said Acting U.S. Attorney Lyons. "We applaud the diligent work of our law enforcement partners in this investigation."
The indictment alleges that the defendants were involved in importing and distributing large quantities of illegal drugs in Douglas, Georgia, and surrounding counties. It also mentions that much of the conspiracy was orchestrated from inside Georgia state prisons using contraband cell phones. The 60-count indictment reports the seizure of 21 illegally possessed firearms and over $17,000.
Among those indicted are Litarus Brinson, an inmate at Jenkins Correctional Center; Christopher Brockington from Douglas; Keevon Bussey from Douglas; Stacey Daniels from Douglas; Kenneth Davis held at Coffee County Jail; T’Kiya Eady from Lagrange; Patrick Ellis from Atlanta; Anthony Gaskin Jr. from Pearson; Dacia Gaskins from Douglas and a former corrections officer; Ernest Goodman held at Ware County Jail; Christopher Hawkins from Douglas; Qudarious Hawkins from Douglas; Breanna Henderson from Douglas; Corey Hill from Ambrose; Demarcus Holland from Douglas; Wanda Hollinger from Douglas; Zarionna Holloway from Douglas; Roger Jenkins from Alma; Marquan Jenkins at Macon State Prison; Richard Jewell from Douglas; Aaron Kahn from Douglas; James Lander from Douglas; Jeffrey Maxwell at Wilcox State Prison; Darien McDaniel from Waycross; Antarious McTear from Douglas; Adrian Munford from Waycross Ferlonzo Newton from Douglas Reginald Powell also known as "Yetti Glock" Marcus Reynolds an inmate at Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison James Robinson an inmate at Telfair State Prison Sedarrien Smith Billy Toombs Jr Dequatte Tucker Travis Tucker Assyria Watts Brian Wright
FBI Atlanta Assistant Special Agent in Charge Brian Ozden emphasized the collaborative effort behind the arrests: "The FBI and our law enforcement partners were able to achieve today’s arrests and seizures because all of us never stopped working together... And we will not rest until we bring back to our community a sense of security and law and order that is so greatly needed."
Coffee County Sheriff Fred T. Cole highlighted the importance of community safety: "This operation was only successful because of the collaborative effort of the various agencies... This operation highlights the importance of community safety and the lasting effects it has on our community."
The investigation was conducted under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) by multiple agencies including the FBI, Coffee County Sheriff’s Office Drug Unit, Georgia Bureau of Investigation Southeast Regional Drug Enforcement Office among others.
The case is being prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Joshua K. Davis.