A resident of Northeast Georgia has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for armed drug trafficking. Mandrell Antwoin Hull, aged 44, from Winterville, Georgia, was given a sentence of 264 months followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III on February 12. Hull had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on July 22, 2024. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker stated, “We must hold repeat offenders accountable when they illegally arm themselves and violate the laws put in place to maintain order and safety for everyone.” Robert Gibbs, Senior Supervisory Special Agent of FBI Atlanta's Athens office, added that partnerships between local and federal agencies are crucial in stopping violent repeat offenders.
Court documents revealed that Hull was under supervised release for a prior federal conviction related to marijuana distribution at the time of his arrest. On April 11, 2023, the United States Probation Office requested assistance from the FBI in Athens to search Hull’s residence due to suspicions of illegal drug storage. The search led to the discovery of cocaine, $32,826 in drug proceeds, and a loaded 9mm pistol.
Hull has six prior felony convictions across Athens-Clarke County and Gwinnett County Superior Courts alongside his previous federal conviction. As a convicted felon, it is illegal for him to possess a firearm.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice launched an enhanced strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Athens Resident Agency Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force and the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison prosecuted the case.