They kept on after the person. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. However, if you are convicted of trafficking between 4 and 14 grams of heroin, morphine, and opium, the sentence is five to thirty years in prison with an associated fine of $50,000. If the quantity is greater than 28 grams but less than 200 grams the person shall be sentenced to a mandatory minimum prison sentence of 10 years and pay a fine of $200,000. For any offense after that, you can expect to receive between 10 and 40 years to life in prison. Under the law, there are two types of possession. WAYCROSS, Ga. (WALB) - 76 drug traffickers were named in Operation Ghost Busted, the largest drug trafficking investigation in the Southern District of Georgia, on Jan. 11. The Supreme Court has carved out an exception to the warrant requirement known as the automobile exception. He was simply told that what was in the duffel bags had to do with their work, was never given any indication that those duffel bags contained drugs. Federal arrest warrants were executed in Warner Robins, Georgia, and elsewhere, today resulting from a federal indictment returned on Nov. 16, charging the following individuals: Antoine Riley, 44, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of cocaine base, one count . How to Apply for the New Pretrial Diversion Program in Federal Court, Our Firm Helps Client Avoid Prison in Large Federal Drug Conspiracy Case, Federal Marijuana Sentences May Be Reduced Based on Changing Marijuana Laws, Law Enforcement Now Using Wiretaps for Facebook, Instagram. If the government can prove both of these things then they can charge someone with a drug conspiracy. The government stepped in and said, Youre prescribing too much medication. However, for small amounts of marijuana, or if your trafficking case is reduced to possession, you may be able to get your charges reduced to a misdemeanor. Duffy admitted that he conspired with others to possess with intent to distribute between one and three kilograms of heroin, or enough heroin to provide more than 10,000-30,000 doses, from December 2018 to February 2019. Attorneys Joseph McCool. Jackson faces a maximum 20 years in prison to be followed by at least three years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine; and. To meet this burden, the State usually calls the arresting or searching officer to testify about the facts that gave rise to the search. But those are the basic elements and defenses involved in a federal drug conspiracy charge. They are dangerous and threaten the safety of our communities, said Vic Reynolds, Director of the GBI. Some are truly illegal (like heroin) and some are legal with a valid prescription from a doctor. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. We will forever be grateful to them for all their hard work, compassion and dedication. At the conclusion of the hearing, the State and the defense will argue why the drugs should be suppressed under the Fourth Amendment or a specific Georgia statute. They didnt seal the recordings like they were supposed to. Jackson pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute More Than 5 Grams of Methamphetamine, and Quantities of Marijuana and Cocaine. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Serving clients across the United States The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Middle District of Georgia is recused from the case, which is being prosecuted by the Southern District. Heroin, morphine, and opium, however, can be harshly penalized for a mere four grams. 16-13-30 makes it illegal for a person to possess, purchase, or have under their control any controlled substance. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS When not actively working cases, I review cases to ISO 17025 and ANAB standards; repair and coordinate shipment of equipment to the downrange labs; review policies, guidance, and procedures . The heroin that was seized at that time was tested at the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Mid-Atlantic Laboratory and was positively identified as heroin weighing 98.47 grams. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A criminal defense lawyer will have the opportunity to cross-examine the arresting or searching officer, call any witnesses of his own, and tender evidence into the record for the courts consideration. Individuals will face the possibility of federal prosecution when found trafficking large quantities of illegal drugs into the Middle District of Georgia., With the arrest of Duffy, the head of the snake was cut off of this major heroin pipeline that ran from Atlanta to Middle Georgia, said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. This affidavit is then submitted to the judge for his or her consideration. According to Georgia law, selling drugs or trafficking a controlled substance can result in expensive drug charges that require substantial assistance. If the search was conducted pursuant to a warrant, there are three primary ways to attack the lawfulness of the search. Many Georgia drug trafficking cases originate on the highways. We dont think these people really need it, and so you violated the federal drug laws. Well, we were able to show the government that there was no unlawful agreement. We are lawyers who are committed to helping people in difficult situations and we invite you to call us at 404-551-5684 for a free consultation today. The heroine has probably the most unforgiving sentencing scheme. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Our lawyers are licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in Georgia. Therefore, you should know what the various categories are and the penalties for each. Call us or complete the form below. When the government charges someone, they draft an indictment, and thats agreed to by the grand jury, and then the government is stuck with that document. When trying to obtain a search warrant, law enforcement must prepare a supporting affidavit setting forth all relevant facts. Official websites use .govA .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The Georgia laws on drug trafficking can seem overly complicated, as the penalties for being caught trafficking vary not only on the type of drug but also on the amount and whether you have priors. There is no parole in the federal system. As described in the recently unsealed indictment, each of the 12 defendants is charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances, including 5 kilograms or more of cocaine; 28 grams or more of crack cocaine; and a quantity of marijuana. The charge carries upon conviction a penalty of up to life in prison. These laws can be confusing, so if you are charged with drug trafficking, consulting an experienced criminal defense attorney would be beneficial to your case. The punishment for a controlled substance offense depends on whether the drug was only possessed or if it was manufactured or distributed, type of substance, and the weight of the substance. Another defense is that there is no knowledge of the agreement. The Justice Department announced the arrest of more than 110 people on gun and drug charges in three states. Se Habla Espaol, 101 Marietta Street NWSuite 3300Atlanta, GA 30303(404) 223-3310, 2022 by The Church Law Firm LLC. Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McCullers is prosecuting the case. For 14 to 28 grams, you can receive a sentence of ten years and a fine of $100,000. If a defendant fails to file a motion to suppress evidence within this timeframe, he or she may waive the right to challenge the lawfulness of the search that led to the discovery of the contraband. In some cases, the information submitted to the judge will be incomplete, false, stale, or obtained through unreliable sources. Look no further then Page Pate and Jess Johnson if you want the best trial lawyers to represent you! They have evidence that an individual is involved in the drug business, but they have charged him with a bunch of people that he didnt know. Disclaimer|Sitemap, Page Pate explains what happens in a federal criminal case Attorney Page Pate explains what happe, The Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (MDLEA) is a series of federal laws that allow the United, Accountability courts and pretrial diversion allow some people that have been charged with a fede, Earlier this week, a federal district court judge in Atlanta, Georgia sentenced our client to ti, Since the First Step Act of 2018 became law, thousands of federal inmates have been released earl, Investigators in at least one state have sought and received court authorization to wiretap commu. You need to consider that in almost any drug case theres usually going to be a search. Extra to the new charges against these suspected child rapists who frequently hashtagged their social media posts #gayfamily," there are now indications they may have trafficked the young boys to fellow pedophiles. ) or https:// means youve safely connected to the .gov website. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Number one, the person was not predisposed at being involved in a drug conspiracy. In fact, according to Georgia statutes, penalties for this crime include fines of up to one million dollars and jail time of up to 30 years. On Friday, December 2, 2022, the GBI SWRDEO, Pelham Police Department, and the Thomas County Sheriff's Office executed three search warrants in Pelham, Mitchell County, GA. 264 E. Railroad Street, Pelham, GA, a car wash business owned and operated by Williams. As announced in a Jan. 11, 2023, multi-agency news conference held at Glynn County Police Department Headquarters [] BEST IN TOWN! When law enforcement seizes a significant quantity of drugs, its typically the result of a search involving an individuals home or automobile. To put it another way, the officer must have a particularized and objective basis for suspecting the person of criminal activity. Lock Dews was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on March 3, 2021; Patrick Dews, 34, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Drug trafficking is a significant problem in Georgia because it is one of the top five states for illegal drug use. This exception allows law enforcement to search a vehicle (that has been lawfully stopped) without a search warrant if there is probable cause to believe that the vehicle contains contraband. Antoine Riley, 44, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of possession of a firearm by a previously convicted felon, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of cocaine base, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute; Antonio Raines, 37, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of distribution of cocaine base and one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; Latanya Williams, 39, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and one count of possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute; Brittany Smith, 28, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; Emanuel Ivey, 35, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute; Armard Davis, 42, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; Joseph Day, 48, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of cocaine base; Desmond Griffin, 29, of Warner Robins, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of cocaine base; and. For 2,000 to 10,000 pounds, you can be sentenced to seven to thirty years in prison and a fine of $250,000. I represented a pilot who had a charter airline service. 16-13-31(c), Trafficking methamphetamine: O.C.G.A. Lock At some point he knew about the plan, he agreed to get involved, and he helped out. For 200 to 400 grams, the sentence is 15 to 30 years with a fine of $300,000. The penalties for drug trafficking vary depending on the type of drug, the weight of the drugs, and whether it was a first or repeated offense. Now notice whats missing here. With the removal of drugs, weapons and money and 12 defendants from the streets, the citizens of Bibb County will be immediately safer., Illegal drugs and illegally possessed firearms have no place in Georgia, said Vic Reynolds, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. But the government also has to show a second element that the person, the person being charged in this case, knows about the agreement and joins in the agreement. Weve also been successful suppressing wiretaps, and we see wiretaps now in almost every drug case. Another high-profile case also involving Georgia took place in 2014. Have a question about Government Services? Its just this agreement, and then knowing about the agreement, saying, I wanna be a part of it. The person can drive a car and be part of a drug conspiracy. In another situation, another wiretap case, the government had probable cause to get the wiretap but they didnt follow the specific requirements of the statute. An official website of the United States government. The most common drugs in each schedule are as follows: O.C.G.A. One of the most powerful tools a criminal defense lawyer has in a drug trafficking or possession case is the motion to suppress evidence. Eight men and four women are charged as part of Operation Breaking the Bond, an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation centered in the Bibb County area, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. After reviewing the discovery, a criminal defense attorney will decide whether to challenge the search by demanding that the court hold a hearing to determine the admissibility of the drugs. Second, the sentencing court may use its own discretion to depart from a mandatory minimum sentence if the defendant was not a leader in the drug operation, if the defendant did not possess a weapon, the criminal conduct did not result in a death or serious bodily injury, the defendant has no prior felonies, and the interests of justice will not be served by applying the mandatory minimum sentence. A traffic stop is only lawful where the officer had reasonable grounds based on specific and articulable facts for making the stop. March 25, 2009 - Carrollton man and two truck drivers from San Antonio, TX arrested for trafficking in 740 pounds of marijuana. If, for example, law enforcement detained a driver accused of speeding for an hour simply to wait on the arrival of a drug sniffing dog, the court would likely find such prolonged detention to be unlawful. 16-13-31(b). PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. The terms possess, purchase, and deliver all have their ordinary every day meaning. The government does not have to show that there is some sort of formal agreement, or contract, or anything like that. Because of the absurdly high mandatory minimum sentences for trafficking, your sentence could be substantially higher than it would be if the case were in federal court. Albany: 229-430-7754 There is no requirement that the person actually has to handle any drugs. The large-scale operation in Georgia, West Virginia and New York follows recent efforts to combat violent crimes and keep repeat offenders behind bars. If the quantity of marijuana is is more than 10 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds, a person faces a mandatory minimum 5 years imprisonment and a $50,000.00 fine. For instance, a court may suppress cocaine found under a floorboard in a home where the search warrant only called for the seizure of an individuals personal computer. Under Georgias drug trafficking laws, you face a significant possibility of lengthy prison time if you are caught with a large enough amount of a controlled substance that you intend to distribute. The Macon area is much safer because of this operation., This operation demonstrates the hard work and dedication of federal, state, and local law enforcement professionals in interdicting and disrupting the channels of illegal drug distribution in our communities, said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. 2.79 tons of liquid heroin from a lorry that entered Georgia from Azerbaijan. If you or someone you know is facing a charge like this, I hope this has answered some of your questions. The way to challenge that is by filing a motion early in the case, getting a hearing, and then showing the judge that the search was unlawful. Disclaimer|Sitemap. On the way back from purchasing heroin from Duffy on February 20, 2019, Summerfords van was stopped and the heroin was seized. Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - A man was arrested on multiple charges during a drug bust in Columbus. Because of this, many counties have special units dedicated to stopping drug trafficking on the roadways. A locked padlock Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. MACON, Ga. - The primary supplier of a heroin distribution ring operating between Atlanta and Macon, which funneled up to 30,000 doses of heroin into the region over a three month span, pleaded guilty to his crime in federal court. As experienced trial attorneys, we are also not afraid to take your case to trial if necessary. They can make a few phone calls and be part of a drug conspiracy. By Page Pate. A total of 60 felony counts are alleged in the indictment. According to Georgia Code 16-13-31 and 16-13-31.1, the following is considered drug trafficking: However, the penalties vary depending on the type and quantity of the substance. It is not uncommon for officers to then search the vehicle for contraband. Discovery usually consists of police reports, drug lab reports, search warrants, arrest warrants, witness statements, and any video or audio recordings. For methamphetamine and/or amphetamine, any person who sells, delivers, or brings into this state or who possesses 28 grams or more is guilty of trafficking. Post Office Box 1702 Final Defendant Sentenced in Gang-Related South Georgia Meth-Trafficking Conspiracy Drug Enforcement Administration Robert J. Murphy, Jr. Special Agent in Charge Atlanta @DEAAtlantaDiv January 05, 2023 Contact: SA Crystal Harper Phone Number: (571) 362-3433 For Immediate Release A criminal defense lawyer may attack: 1) the information used to procure the warrant; 2) the specificity of the warrant; and 3) the search itself. Their dedication and complete commitment to their client is beyond reproach. On the other hand, constructive possession means the individual has the illegal substances in an area where they have dominion or control over them. POMEROY The Meigs County Sheriff's Department made two arrests in regards to the trafficking of illegal narcotics Sunday evening. A locked padlock A locked padlock For 200 to 400 grams, the sentence is a minimum of 15 years with a fine of $300,000. In some cases, the government will have a warrant, in some cases they wont. You can also be charged with trafficking if you bring a large enough amount of a controlled substance from another country or state. An official website of the United States government. This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justices violent crime reduction efforts. There are defenses, and there are several that we have used effectively in court when were representing someone charged in a drug conspiracy case. Georgia Drug Trafficking Charges O.C.G.A. Anderson faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a $250,000 fine. Motions to suppress evidence are based on the idea that law enforcement has violated an individuals Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures or some other right protected by a specific Georgia law. He was simply prescribing medicine for his patients, and he was acting within the legitimate medical practice and what his license allowed. If the officer then finds contraband hidden behind an air vent in the front compartment, a court would likely suppress the contraband as the officer exceeded the scope of the drivers consent. Those trips that were confirmed using interceptions and/or surveillance. Another defense, which is also a little complicated and difficult to use, is that the person withdrew from the conspiracy. They are found in the Title 16 Crimes and Offenses Chapter 13 Controlled Substances. They tried to sell me drugs. If caught with 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds of marijuana, a person faces a mandatory minimum of 7 years imprisonment and a $250,000.00 fine. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. The difference between drug trafficking and other drug crimes - like drug possession, drug distribution or drug manufacturing - is the quantity of drugs involved in the offense. As outlined below, Georgia law defines both these controversial elements very broadly in trafficking matters. Because there is a larger amount of drugs involved in a trafficking case, drug trafficking charges can carry serious mandatory minimum prison sentences that usually increase with the quantity of the drugs. Obviously there was an agreement. | July 13, 2013. Here is a short video describing drug trafficking laws in Georgia, including some defenses that our firm has used in the past to win these cases at trial or successfully resolve them before they ever get to trial. Drug trafficking charges are serious in Georgia and are nearly always prosecuted as a felony offense. With respect to marijuana, it is illegal for a person to possess, have under their control, deliver, distribute, dispense, or possess with intent to distribute marijuana. The operation is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the FBI, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Bibb County Sheriffs Office Narcotics Unit, the Peach County Sheriffs Office, the Braselton Police Department and the Union City Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Finally, challenging an unlawful search or a wiretap. At some point after the arraignment the State will provide the defendants lawyer with the discovery in the case. U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia, Nine Federally Charged, Arrested in Middle GA Drug Trafficking Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), ACTIVITY IN THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, Man Indicted on Federal Racketeering Charge for Allegedly Murdering Teenage Girl To Increase Position in Violent Street Gang, Nine newly indicted on federal charges for crimes including drugs and illegal firearms possession, Nine Federally Charged, Arrested In Middle GA Drug Trafficking Investigation. There are several factors involved. Drug trafficking is a serious criminal offense, and although incidents are usually not as widespread as the recent bust of the alleged Mexico-based cartel, these types of cases are some of the most complexes. In early February 2019, Duffy moved into a house in Sandy Springs, Georgia, and used that residence to sell heroin. We will contact you as soon as possible if we are able to help. Punishment for possessing or distributing Schedule I drugs is the most severe. We have successfully represented clients in serious criminal cases across the United States. A good example of that is a case I handled just last year representing a doctor who worked at a pain clinic. The amount of cocaine chosen as the dividing line between possession and trafficking is 28 grams. In other words, marijuana smoke billowing from the window will give law enforcement probable to cause to search. Have a question about Government Services? An experienced attorney may be able to get the prosecutor to consent to a bond in the case if you have ties to the community and meet the above factors. Help locate the three that are still wanted . The difference between drug trafficking and other drug crimes like drug possession, drug distribution or drug manufacturing is thequantityof drugs involved in the offense. Nathaniel Ripley, 41, was sentenced Wednesday, Jan. 4, by . Tawana Daniels, 40, of Fairburn, Ga., charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine, Crack and Marijuana; Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Consequently, if the officer conducting the traffic stop cannot adequately articulate why a driver was committing or had committed a traffic offense or a crime, the traffic stop is considered to be unlawful. Sometimes theyll say they had consent to search, the person agreed to it, but they really didnt. Weve been able to throw out two cases based on improper wiretaps. These are considered to be drugs with low or moderate potential for psychological or physical dependence, a lower chance of abuse, and accepted medical use. The State generally has the burden of convincing the court that the drugs were the product of a lawful search. In entrapment, you basically have to show two things. They dont have to show that a person even had drugs. If that is the case, you can work with our law firm, and we can build a defense to help you get a . Both defendants will serve well-deserved time in prison., These sentences represent significant milestones in the prosecution of Operation Ace in the Hole, a multi-agency investigation disrupting a major source of illegal drugs and guns in the greater Toombs County area, said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. For example, if your charge of trafficking can be negotiated to a charge of drug possession, it may drop from a felony to a misdemeanor. If a warrant fails to state the exact address of the place to be searched or the specific items that may be seized by law enforcement, the warrant may be deemed invalid. And it is. They are dangerous and threaten the safety of our communities. The first element of trafficking involves whether you: The second element involves possessing, manufacturing, delivering, or distributing a certain amount of a drug, which varies between the controlled substances. The Albany Herald, Ga. Dec. 7MACON A career offender with a violent criminal history who participated in a middle Georgia drug trafficking network responsible for distributing approximately 16 kilograms of methamphetamine has been sentenced to serve 20 years in federal prison resulting from an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces investigation centered in Warner Robins. Motions to suppress evidence are based on the idea that law enforcement has violated an individual's Fourth Amendment right to be free of unreasonable searches and seizures or some other right protected by a specific Georgia law. Defending Georgia Drug Trafficking Cases by Winning Motions to Suppress Evidence. In drug possession cases, especially marijuana possession, proving the substance was illegal and establishing legal possession are the two biggest issues. Some legal substances may also lead to a charge of drug trafficking if enough of the substance is found and suspected that it's being used in a way that is . Of all drug charges, trafficking is often considered the worst, a conviction of which carries significant prison time, parole, and huge fines. For instance, the driver may grant permission for the officer to search the vehicles trunk. Horrific new details have emerged in the case of the LGBT activist couple arrested in Georgia this past summer on suspicion of using their two adopted children to make child porn.. Or, in other words, either actual or constructive possession will be enough to establish the possession needed to support a drug trafficking charge. In a press release from the department, on Jan . Operation Breaking the Bond is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. For this quantity of cocaine the minimum prison sentence is 15 . If you've been charged with drug trafficking in Georgia, it's in your best interests to contact a local drug crime attorney who can help you understand and potentially challenge the most complicated aspects of the charges, such as determining whether the quantity of drugs amounts to trafficking. Marietta Office Suites 55 Atlanta St. One of the most powerful tools a criminal defense lawyer has in a drug trafficking or possession case is the motion to suppress evidence. 2022 by The Church Law Firm LLC. Our firm has offices inAtlanta GA and Brunswick GA, and we frequently travel to other courts across the state to represent people in serious criminal cases. They dont have a history of it, theres not other evidence to show they were interested in finding out about the drug business. Attorneys Noah J. Abrams and OCDETF Coordinator Marcela C. Mateo. Jan 17, 2023. The person being charged, while there may be an agreement, he doesnt know about it. Now he ran a medical practice and he prescribed pain medication, opioid pain medication, to a number of different patients for chronic pain. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( You know, The government came after me. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Serving clients across the United States On a number of occasions, co-defendants Summerford, Black and Patrick Dews would travel to metro-Atlanta to purchase heroin from Duffy, generally 142 grams on each trip enough heroin to provide more than 1,000 doses. Secure .gov websites use HTTPSA lock ( Official websites use .gov Bresach was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison to run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed in Peach County, Jones County, Putnam County and Houston County Superior Courts to be followed by three years of supervised release on March 3, 2021; Reginald Summerford, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. The charges of possession of cocaine with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine base with intent to distribute each carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years up to a maximum sentence of 40 years and a $5,000,000 fine. Although all trafficking charges are somewhat dependent on the amount involved, according to the Georgia marijuana law, the amounts that result in significant penalties are much larger than other drugs. The 118-count, 133-page indictment charges the 76 suspects with involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed large amounts of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and alprazolam in . The operation, which started in mid-2019, targeted sources of illegal drugs brought into and distributed in the Macon area, and led to a series of searches in which large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, oxycodone, and marijuana were seized, along with nearly $97,000 in cash, a machine for pressing kilo-sized bricks of cocaine, money counters, scales, and drug packaging materials. SE, Suite #417 Marietta, GA 30060, Title 16 Crimes and Offenses Chapter 13 Controlled Substances, Trafficking cocaine: O.C.G.A. In many consent cases, an officer will exceed the scope of the drivers consent. Im out. Thats fine, but to really take advantage of this defense you have to communicate that to either law enforcement, or make it clear to everybody else in the conspiracy. During December 2018 and January 2019, Duffy sold heroin from a trap house located in an Atlanta apartment. 2022 by The Church Law Firm LLC. Se Habla Espaol, 101 Marietta Street NWSuite 3300Atlanta, GA 30303(404) 223-3310, 2022 by The Church Law Firm LLC. A search warrant must also particularly describe the place to be searched and the person or things to be seized. Those numbers go up with every amount over 200 grams. Adams, a regional leader in the Gangster Disciples criminal street gang, was sentenced as an armed career criminal after pleading guilty to Distribution of Cocaine and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. PATRICK JOHNSON, 27, of Chicago, is charged with one count of murder in aid of racketeering. They will walk you through each legal process, demonstrating professionalism while being aggressive advocates for you. Columbus: 706-649-7700. Drug trafficking charges in Georgia are a felony. But if you have other questions, feel free to give us a call.. Possession of more than 1 ounce is a felony punishable by 1 to 10 years imprisonment. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS If you are convicted of 400 grams or more, you face a prison sentence of 25 to 30 years and a $1,000,000 fine. In the courtroom theres no doubt that they are accomplished masterful attorneys who represented my son being accused of a criminal crime he did not commit. March 10, 2009 - Regional drug-fighting hub opens in Carrollton. Search for jobs related to Georgia drug trafficking cases or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 21m+ jobs. Michael Duffy, 43, of Sandy Springs, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin on Thursday, May 20. Columbus: 706-649-7700. Third, the sentencing court may depart where the District Attorney and the defendant have agreed to a sentence that is below a mandatory minimum sentence. If the defect in the information submitted to the judge was necessary to find probable cause, the warrant will generally be voided by the court and any seized evidence will be suppressed. There are several viable defenses available to a person charged with drug possession. Trafficking generally includes allegations that an individual possesses, sells, distributes or manufactures a large amount of illegal drugs. And then once the government realized that, they dismissed the case. The indictments come after a two-year-long investigation titled "Operation Ghost Busted," which looked into gang-related drug trafficking plaguing the Brunswick, . All rights reserved. Georgia drug trafficking laws carry significant penalties and there are many potentially aggravating factors. But, in some cases, a judge can depart from the mandatory minimum term of imprisonment if, for example, the persons criminal conduct didnt result in death or serious injury, or they didnt possess a dangerous weapon or a firearm at the time when the crime was committed. This case is the product of a concerted collaborative effort on the part of ATF and its local partners to target, investigate, and eliminate the perpetrators of violent crime, said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).