News
Release 23 Defendants Indicted on Federal Drug Trafficking and SEP 30 -- AUGUSTA, GA - A federal indictment, unsealed yesterday in federal court, has charged 23 defendants with a conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, prescription pills and ecstasy in the Thomson, Georgia area. Several of the defendants have also been charged with weapons charges. The indictment follows a 12-month Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) investigation into drug trafficking activities in Thomson and Atlanta. Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) conducted the joint investigation. During the investigation, agents seized drugs, money, vehicles, and guns. United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “This prosecution required the coordinated efforts of law enforcement on the state and federal levels to bring to justice those who profit from the scourge of illegal narcotics trafficking. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to partner with federal, state and local agencies to prosecute drug dealers and remove their drugs and dangerous weapons from our communities.” The 23 defendants indicted on federal charges include: WILLIAM LEON WOODS III, 30, of Atlanta, Georgia KEVIN ELLIOTT GAINES, 29, of Thomson, Georgia ANTONIO DANTWAN GRISSON, 27, of Thomson, Georgia EDDIE DEWAYNE GALISON, 27, of Thomson, Georgia GREGORY VALENTINO IVEY, 24, of Thomson, Georgia SOLOMON MANDRELL GRIER, 32, of Thomson, Georgia DEVICCO TROY MOSS, 29, of Thomson, Georgia CEDRIC FERLANDO JOHNSON, 30, of Thomson, Georgia ROBERT LEE BELTON, JR, 32, of Thomson, Georgia CHRIS ANTONIO MOSS, 33, of Thomson, Georgia SANTIONO TYWAN CARTLEDGE, 29, of Thomson, Georgia TITO NAVADA HATCHER, 37, of Sparta, Georgia ERNEST ROYMETTRIS HATCHER, 28, of Sparta, Georgia SANCHEZ VANQUIS JONES, 27, of Thomson, Georgia ROBERT LEE WILLIAMS, 31, of Thomson, Georgia ROBERT LEE NEAL, 49, of Thomson, Georgia JAMES BOUTTRY, JR., 24, of Thomson, Georgia JAMARIO QUILTON LEE, 26, Thomson, Georgia MARIO DEANGELO CLEMONS, 28, of Thomson, Georgia QUANTAVIOUS ANTWAIN DAWSON, 26, of Thomson, Georgia CHRISTINE MICHELLE WILLINGHAM, 36, of Appling, Georgia APRIL OLIVIA DAWSON, 37, of Thomson, Georgia, and DEBRA GAINES, 48, of Thomson, Georgia. Mr. Tarver stressed that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The Defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. Assistant United States Attorneys Patricia Green Rhodes is prosecuting the case for the United States. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547. Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.justthinktwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com and www.dea.gov. ##### |