Crack trafficking ring in Savannah neighborhood disrupted with arrests on federal charges
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…
U.S. Justice Department announces investigation into conditions in Georgia prisons
WASHINGTON: The U.S. Justice Department announced today that it has opened a statewide civil investigation into conditions of confinement of prisoners held in Georgia’s prisons. The investigation will examine whether Georgia provides…
Federal prosecutions target illegal firearms possession, drugs
SAVANNAH, GA: At least seven defendants face federal charges including those for illegally possessing firearms after separate indictments by a U.S. District Court grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, while…
Georgia defense contractor agrees to $900,000 payment to settle False Claims Act allegations
AUGUSTA, GA: Two Georgia companies and their owners have agreed to pay $900,000 to resolve allegations that they provided unapproved substitute parts to the U.S. Army and that they violated the Buy…
Owner of cockfighting venue sentenced to prison for running illegal animal fighting operation
AUGUSTA, GA: A Lincoln County man has been sentenced to prison after admitting that he operated a cockfighting venue. Lanier Augustus Hightower Jr., 65, of Lincolnton, Ga., was sentenced to 14 months…
Violent gang members, cartel conduit sentenced to federal prison for roles in major drug-trafficking conspiracy
SAVANNAH, GA: A member of a violent Chicago street gang, two Ghost Face Gangsters and a conduit for Mexican drug cartels have been sentenced to decades in federal prison for their roles…
Convicted felon sentenced to additional prison time after threatening witness and judge
BRUNSWICK, GA: A convicted felon and gang member has been sentenced to more than a decade of additional time in federal prison after admitting he threatened a witness and a judge. Wilbert…
Savannah woman sentenced for assisting in scheme that stole millions of dollars from victims’ retirement accounts
SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah woman has been sentenced after admitting she “structured” cash withdrawals, which were part of a scheme to steal millions of dollars from other people’s retirement accounts. Karen Dickerson,…
Effingham County man sentenced to federal prison for aiming laser at commercial aircraft
SAVANNAH, GA: An Effingham County resident has been sentenced to federal prison after admitting he aimed a powerful laser at commercial aircraft. Roger Floyd Hendricks, 48, of Rincon, was sentenced to 18…
Brunswick men await sentencing after admitting to six armed robberies
BRUNSWICK, Ga: Two Brunswick men face substantial federal prison terms after admitting to the armed robberies of six Brunswick area businesses in August 2020. Zaeveon Deveon Cooper, 21, and Marquese Bolden, 20,…
Third defendant sentenced in scheme to use drone to smuggle contraband into a Georgia state prison
AUGUSTA, GA: An Atlanta-area man is the third defendant sentenced in U.S. District Court after admitting to a scheme to use a drone to smuggle contraband into a Georgia state prison. Cheik…
Three men sentenced for illegal gambling operation
AUGUSTA, GA: Two Waynesboro, Ga., men and a Greenwood, S.C., man have been sentenced for participating in an illegal gambling operation. Grady Brandon Mobley, 44, of Waynesboro, was sentenced to five years…
Savannah felon convicted for illegal firearms possession
SAVANNAH, GA: A U.S. District Court jury found a previously convicted felon guilty of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition after just 15 minutes of deliberation. Matthew Kearse, 30, of Savannah, now…
Internet predator admits coercing children to provide sexual images
STATESBORO, GA: A Bulloch County man faces substantial time in federal prison after admitting he persuaded children to send him sexual images and photos. Jasiri Hutchison, 20, of Statesboro, is awaiting sentencing…
Swainsboro, Ga., banker admits obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans
SAVANNAH, GA: A former commercial loan officer at a Chatham County bank is facing significant penalties after admitting to obtaining hundreds of thousands of dollars in fraudulent loans. Jason McMillan, 45, of…
Death by fentanyl overdose leads to indictment of two men on federal drug charges
SAVANNAH, GA: Two Bryan County men face up to life in prison after another man’s fatal fentanyl overdose. Javarus McKinney, a/k/a “Jody,” 32, of Richmond Hill, Ga., is charged with Distribution of…
Multiple defendants federally indicted for illegal firearms possession
SAVANNAH, GA: Three men face felony firearms charges in separate indictments by a U.S. District Court grand jury in the Southern District of Georgia, while nine others have admitted to gun charges. …
Two dozen defendants indicted in investigation of Washington, Ga., area drug trafficking operation
AUGUSTA, GA: A multi-agency drug trafficking investigation has culminated in the criminal conspiracy indictment of 21 defendants in the Southern District of Georgia. Operation Wynner Storm, initiated by the Wilkes County Sheriff’s…
Savannah B&B manager accused of embezzling more than half a million dollars
SAVANNAH, GA: The former manager of a Savannah bed and breakfast is accused of embezzling more than $500,000 in a 14-count federal indictment. Chiquita Blake, 46, of Pooler, Ga., is charged with…
Georgia company and owner admit guilt in scheme to evade U.S. national security trade sanctions
SAVANNAH, GA: A Georgia company and its owner have admitted guilt in a scheme to evade United States national security laws. Dali Bagrou pled guilty in U.S. District Court to Conspiracy, while…
Georgia man sentenced in dog-fighting operation
AUGUSTA, GA: A Georgia man has been sentenced in federal court in connection with a dog-fighting ring broken up in 2018 in Dodge County. Benjaman Shinhoster III, a/k/a “Benji,” 41, of Louisville,…
Savannah tire store owner convicted of selling methamphetamine
SAVANNAH, GA: A Savannah tire store owner faces decades in federal prison after a U.S. District Court jury found him guilty of distributing methamphetamine. Reginald Anderson, a/k/a “Red,” 49, of Savannah, awaits…
Sentencing of drug trafficker wraps up prosecution of Richmond County narcotics conspiracy
AUGUSTA, GA: With the sentencing of the lead defendant, the prosecution of a major Richmond County drug trafficking conspiracy has resulted in convictions of all eight defendants – including a man and…
Former prison guard admits role in major south Georgia drug trafficking conspiracy
WAYCROSS, GA: A former prison guard has admitted participating in a drug trafficking operation in south Georgia that included smuggling contraband to inmates. Jessica Azaelae Burnett, a/k/a “The Madam,” 41, of Douglas,…
Violent felon convicted for crime spree that included a carjacking, attempted robbery, and firearm offenses
SAVANNAH, GA: A U.S. District Court jury found a previously convicted felon guilty on all charges for a violent 2019 crime spree across south Georgia. Alfred Wisher, 39, faces a minimum sentence…
Nearly three dozen charged in Middle Georgia methamphetamine-trafficking conspiracy
DUBLIN, GA: Thirty defendants are charged in a Laurens County methamphetamine-trafficking indictment unsealed in the Southern District of Georgia. The indictment in USA v. Monroe et. al charges 30 defendants with 56…
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