Crack trafficking ring in Savannah neighborhood disrupted with arrests on federal charges

 Unsealed indictment targets drug sales in 'The Dips' in Cuyler-Brownsville

SAVANNAH, GA:  Multiple defendants are in custody on drug trafficking charges after the unsealing of a federal indictment targeting an open-air drug market in Savannah.

The 56-count indictment in USA v. Fields et al. details charges against 14 defendants, primarily Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine, said David H. Estes, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. The charge carries a statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison and substantial financial penalties, followed by at least four years of supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system.

“Our law enforcement partners, particularly the Savannah Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, have done an outstanding job in identifying and disrupting drug distribution networks in our neighborhoods,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Estes. “This continuing effort will make our communities safer by removing illegal drugs and guns from our streets.”

The investigation targeted an open-air illegal drug market in a community known as “The Dips” on the west side of Savannah, alleging drug sales taking place at least as early as Oct. 1, 2020, with the 14 defendants indicted as part of a conspiracy to possess and distribute crack cocaine. Those charged in the indictment are:

• Charles Aimee Fields Jr., a/k/a “Slim,” 33, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; seven counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine; and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon;
• Anthony Pointer, 33, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and three counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Maurice Johnson, a/k/a “Bowlegs,” 36, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and five counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Trevyaughn Howard, 24, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and 12 counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Keaonte Winford, 22, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and five counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Marcus Royal, a/k/a “Stretch,” 24, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and four counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Patrick Frazier, 26, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and six counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Terry Lynch Jr., a/k/a “Stank,” 25, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and three counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Deandra Brown, a/k/a “D,” 32, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and three counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Shaqille Jones, 28, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and two counts of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Dominique Bostic, 27, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and one count of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Michael Passmore, 30, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and one count of Distribution of Crack Cocaine;
• Tyree Lee, 33, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and one of Distribution of Crack Cocaine; and,
• Walter Wingster, 36, of Savannah, charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Crack Cocaine; and one count of Distribution of Crack Cocaine.

Criminal indictments contain only charges; defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

“We have put in a substantial amount of time and investigative work on this investigation due to known drug activity and citizen safety concerns,” said Savannah Police Chief Roy Minter. “We believe the arrests of these individuals will have a direct and immediate impact on crime and safety in the Cuyler-Brownsville neighborhood.”

“All participating agencies played a crucial role in the eradication of this crack cocaine trafficking organization,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “These types of targeted enforcement actions are effective in fulfilling our mission of protecting and serving the citizens of Savannah.”

The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration’s Savannah Resident Office; the Savannah Police Department Strategic Investigation Unit; and the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team, and is being prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Noah J. Abrams and Frank M. Pennington II.