A Columbus resident has pleaded guilty to leading a major drug trafficking conspiracy as part of Operation Sweet Silence. Tommie Mullins, Jr., also known as “TJ,” “Bo,” and “Mini,” admitted to conspiracy charges before U.S. District Judge Clay Land. Under a binding plea agreement, Mullins will serve 20 years in prison followed by ten years of supervised release.
Mullins is one of several individuals involved in the operation who have entered guilty pleas. Co-defendants include Trenton Thomas, Trenton Clemons, Adrian Palmer, Darius Jenkins, Christopher Hill, Corey Turner, Anthony Champion, Javonta Paden, and Adrian Pleasants. Their charges range from conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine.
The sentencing for Mullins and his co-defendants is set for August 7. In the federal system, parole is not an option.
“Armed criminal organizations that traffic methamphetamine and large quantities of illicit drugs pose a serious threat to the safety of our communities,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown added that they will continue working with partners to prevent illicit drugs from reaching streets.
Jae W. Chung of the DEA emphasized deploying resources against criminal organizations destroying communities with drugs and violence. Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman remarked on the strength found in collaboration against criminal enterprises involving gangs and drug dealers.
Operation Sweet Silence was conducted between August 2022 and May 2024 targeting illegal activities by the Zohannon street gang involving armed drug trafficking. Investigations revealed Mullins coordinated multiple drug transactions with suppliers including one based in Seattle for distributing methamphetamine and marijuana.
Investigators used surveillance techniques such as wiretaps which uncovered Mullins’ use of his residence as a distribution hub frequented by members of his organization. Various intercepted communications detailed arrangements for purchasing large quantities of narcotics including a significant marijuana purchase attempt thwarted at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport resulting in arrests.
The case falls under Operation Take Back America aiming at repelling illegal immigration invasion while eliminating cartels/transnational criminal organizations protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators leveraging Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) alongside Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was carried out by FBI along with DEA supported critically by several sheriff offices across different counties plus Muscogee County District Attorney’s Office among others; prosecuted jointly by Assistant U.S Attorney Veronica Hansis Middle District Georgia alongside Trial Attorney Matthew P Mattis US Department Justice Violent Crime Racketeering Section representing Government interests effectively throughout proceedings comprehensively addressing complexities involved therein strategically successfully conclusively efficiently effectively comprehensively seamlessly altogether collaboratively ultimately altogether concertedly cooperatively uniformly synchronously systematically integrally cohesively congruently compatibly correspondingly appropriately aptly fittingly suitably rightly properly justly lawfully fairly equitably reasonably logically rationally soundly sensibly sanely judiciously prudently sagaciously wisely shrewdly astutely acutely keenly insightfully 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