Five Southwest Georgians among six sentenced to federal prison in drug conspiracy

MACON — Charles E. Peeler, U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that six defendants, including five from Tifton or Adel, were sentenced to federal prison Wednesday in a case that was a “far-reaching” conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

“The outstanding cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement in this investigation has brought about the dismantling of a very significant drug distribution enterprise, which was a major supplier of illicit drugs in the South Georgia area,” Peeler said in a statement. “The work of the investigators and prosecutors on this matter have made our communities in this area safer places to live.

The sentences were handed down by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Valdosta. Those individuals and their respective sentences include:

— Ivan Starks, 47, Ocala, Fla., 188 months;

— Ozell Lane, Jr., 39, Adel, 96 months;

— Marvin Dumas, 52, Tifton, 78 months;

— Willis Lee Young, 41, Adel, 57 months;

— Adrian Lloyd, 42, Tifton, 57 months;

— Chris Waters, 50, Tifton, 48 months.

From Jan. 1, 2013 through Dec. 10, 2014, the defendants acquired kilogram quantities of cocaine that were ultimately distributed throughout Cook, Colquitt and Tift counties, prosecuters said. Between Aug. 29, 2014 and Sept. 28, 2014, intercepted communications revealed the defendants along with other members of the conspiracy participated in the acquisition and further distribution of 10-15 kilograms of cocaine per week, officials said.

On Sept. 25, 2014, a traffic stop of conspirators Jose Martinez, Jessica Tellez and Juan Sanchez Hidalgo resulted in the seizure of $225,937 of drug money en route to Juan Pablo Cuevas. Search warrants executed that same day on the residences of Maurice Todd Carter, James Waters and other defendants resulted in the seizure of an additional approximate amount of $50,000, three kilograms of cocaine and 11 firearms, officials said.

“Numerous communities in middle Georgia can sleep better tonight knowing that this far-reaching cocaine trafficking organization has been dismantled,” Daniel R. Salter, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Field Division, said. “This case demonstrates how DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners form a united front to disrupt, dismantle and destroy drug trafficking organizations.”

Officials said the listed defendants are the latest to be sentenced in this conspiracy. Twelve other defendants have already been sentenced for their roles in the ongoing illegal drug enterprise.

“These convictions demonstrate the great work of law enforcement at all levels to investigate and prosecute the distribution of narcotics affecting Georgia and our surrounding states. The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners in drug enforcement to address these types of crimes and make our communities safer,” Kim Baker special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Region 15 Field Office, said.

The case was investigated by the DEA, GBI, Mid-South Narcotics Task Force and the Tift, Crisp, Cook and Colquitt sheriff offices. Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia Bowen is handling the prosecution for the government.

There is no parole in the federal court system.