Jury Finds Baldwin County Kingpin Guilty Of All Charges

MACON: United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, announces that Delma Goddard, a/k/a “Shug” and “Big Hxmie” age 38, of Milledgeville, Georgia, was found guilty by a jury of his peers of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute more than 280 Grams of Crack Cocaine, more than 50 Grams of Methamphetamine, and more than 100 Grams of Heroin.  The jury also convicted Mr. Goddard of four counts of Distribution of Methamphetamine; six counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine; five counts of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon; five counts of Possessing a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime; one count of Distribution of Heroin; and one count of Possession with Intent to Distribute Heroin.  As a result of his conviction on these twenty three counts, Mr. Goddard is facing a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of at least 125 years without parole.

Mr. Goddard was the lead conspirator and is a member of the Nine-Deuce gang in Baldwin County.  The Nine-Deuce gang is affiliated with the Bloods national street gang.  During the period between 2013 and 2016, the Nine-Deuce gang was responsible for numerous gang-related assaults in Baldwin County, Georgia.  The gang is identified by its use of the color red, as well as particular hand signs, and it is fueled by proceeds from the sale of illegal drugs in Milledgeville and the surrounding counties.  Mr. Goddard was responsible for obtaining, manufacturing and distributing crack cocaine, and also for distributing methamphetamine and heroin.

As part of the investigation, agents from the DEA, FBI, ATF and Ocmulgee Drug Task Force were responsible for removing more than 10 ounces of crack cocaine, more than 10 ounces of methamphetamine, and more than 10 ounces of heroin from the streets of Milledgeville.  In addition, 17 firearms, including two assault rifles, were purchased from Mr. Goddard and/or seized during a search warrant executed at his residence.

Evidence established during the trial proved that Mr. Goddard sold various quantities of crack cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin to government operatives.  Mr. Goddard has a prior conviction for the Sale of Cocaine in 2000.

As part of the original indictment in this case, fifteen other individuals, several of whom were Nine-Deuce gang members, entered guilty pleas to various charges:

    Chad Delacy Freeman, a/k/a “Big Bone” and “Bone Loco” – gang member

    Cynthia Bolston Smith, a/k/a “Cynt”

    Alonzo Butts

    Demetrius Jamel Harden, a/k/a “Meat Dawg” and “Meat Dog” – gang member

    Deshawn Ransom, a/k/a “Nephew” – gang member

    Eric Demetrius Veal

    Everett Hill

    Derrick Mosley, a/k/a “D Mo” – gang member

    Ishmawiyl Abdhal Davis, a/k/a “NY” and “New York” – gang member

    Travis Glenn, a/k/a “T” and “TG” – gang member

    Edward Antonio Brown, a/k/a “Plug” – gang member

    Montavious Jermell Barnes, a/k/a “Coot” and “Koot” – gang member

    Jevon Deshawn Clark, a/k/a “Dub” and “J Dub” – gang member

    Demale Hampton, a/k/a “Rabbit” and “Rab”

    Demond Monterio Dennis, a/k/a “Double Deuce” – gang member

Mr. Goddard will be sentenced in about 60 days following a pre-sentence investigation and report.

 “These guilty pleas and convictions and the dismantling of this gang are the result of a true partnership between District Attorney Steve Bradley’s office, Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee’s office, the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, DEA, FBI, ATF, and the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler.  “To those who choose to engage in drug trafficking, firearms trafficking and violent crime, take note: Federal and State law enforcement and prosecutors are teaming up to take you down.  Providing the citizens of Middle Georgia with the safe neighborhoods and drug free communities they deserve is the top priority of this office.  Thank you to the hard work of law enforcement in this matter.”  

“Baldwin County residents can sleep better tonight knowing that a guilty verdict has been returned against this violent crack, powder cocaine and methamphetamine trafficker,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Atlanta Field Division.  “This case demonstrates how DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners and the U.S. Attorney’s Office present a united front to disrupt, dismantle and destroy gang-related drug trafficking organizations.”

“Nothing infects our communities more than the infiltration of drugs and guns onto our streets,” said Ricardo Grave de Peralta, Acting Special Agent in Charge (A/SAC) of FBI Atlanta. “Goddard’s conviction is only the beginning of our efforts to protect the good citizens of Baldwin County from the menace this top level gangster and his fellow gang members posed.”

 “Sheriff Bill Massee and I both appreciate the excellent coordination between our personnel and those in the Federal system.  That partnership has led to a real, identifiable reduction in local gang and drug activity,” said Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Steve Bradley.  “These were serious, historical offenders we took off the street, and Baldwin County is much safer as a result.”

The case was brought as part of OCDETF (Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) programs.  OCDETF and PSN are programs that have been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.

This case was investigated by the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office; Ocmulgee Drug Task Force; Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco’ Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Charles Calhoun and Michael Solis are prosecuting the case for the Government with participation and cooperation of Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit District Attorney Steve Bradley.