Arrests include supplier and distributors of cocaine, MDMA
and other drugs
BRUNSWICK, GA – Two dozen people have been indicted on
federal drug trafficking and firearms charges related to a distribution ring
operating in south Georgia and northern Florida.
A superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District
Court in Brunswick charges Robert Johnson, 52, of Jacksonville, Fla., as a
supplier to previously indicted members of the conspiracy. During a search of
Johnson’s home, agents seized quantities of multiple controlled substances
including cocaine, MDMA – also known as Molly – heroin and marijuana, announced
Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The indictment alleges that Johnson was a supplier to the
other 23 members of the trafficking ring, which distributed large amounts of
cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and other drugs throughout Georgia and
Florida. The operation started more than a year ago as a joint federal, state
and local investigation into violent gang and drug trafficking activities in
Glynn County, Ga., led by the FBI, the Glynn County Police Department and the
Brunswick Police Department.
In addition to Johnson, others indicted are:
Maurice Fields, 34 Brunswick, Ga.;
Eric Reneantonio Stuckey, 29, Brunswick, Ga.;
Javon Arashalla Newton, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Xontavious Dionte Hawkins, 32, Brunswick, Ga.;
Bronco Darelle Jackson, 33, Brunswick, Ga.;
Wilbert Lee Stephens Jr., 26, Brunswick, Ga.;
Zahria Jane Boston, 20, Atlanta, Ga.;
Andrew Riley, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Anthony Kanyatta Seals, 42, Brunswick, Ga.;
Michael Arthur Nixon, 59, Brunswick, Ga.;
Mario Capers, 37, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jose Salguero, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jermaine Tyrone Fuller, 38, Brunswick, Ga.;
Derrick Bernard Johnson, 43, Brunswick, Ga.;
Alex Dion Manor, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jimmy Bradwell Ferrell, 54, Brunswick, Ga.;
Malik Williams, 24, Brunswick, Ga.;
Reginald Andre Beckham Sr., 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jamal David Gaines, 34, Jacksonville, Florida
Elliot Loyranzy Armstrong, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Timothy John Sallins, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
John Draxell Buckley, 58, Brunswick, Ga.; and,
Camron Thomas, 36, Brunswick, Ga.;
All of the defendants are charged with conspiracy, with some
facing additional charges including possession with intent to distribute
controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and
possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Most of the
defendants have been arrested and brought before a federal Magistrate Judge in
Brunswick for their initial appearances.
Upon conviction, many of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal
prison, and in federal prison there is no parole.
During the investigation, authorities seized significant
amounts of controlled substances, along with an AR-15 rifle and multiple
handguns.
“These indictments represent the third major takedown of a
criminal drug-distribution conspiracy in the lower part of the Southern
District of Georgia just this year,” said Southern District of Georgia U.S.
Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Similar operations in March and October netted 27
arrests for distributing poison in our communities, and we are committed to
coordinating with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to make our
neighborhoods safer.”
“The federal indictments in this case emphasize our
commitment to rid our communities of the threat of violence from organizations
who plague our streets distributing drugs,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in
Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Forces, comprised of
federal, state and local law enforcement officers, will continue to commit
extensive resources toward dismantling these types of organizations.”
“The Glynn County Police Department is honored to have such
a great working relationship with our local, state and federal law enforcement
partners as well as federal and state prosecutors,” said Glynn County Police
Chief John Powell. “Working together we will ensure a safer community for our citizens.”
A criminal indictment contains only charges. Defendants are
presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and
Marcela Mateo are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the United States.
For any questions, please contact Barry Paschal at the
United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.
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