Cairo meth dealer pleads guilty to trafficking charges

ALBANY – A prolific small-town methamphetamine dealer involved in a larger wiretap investigation into methamphetamine trafficking in south Georgia has pleaded guilty for his crime, U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia Charlie Peeler said.

Phil Grim, 43, of Cairo, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances before U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Tuesday, according to a news release from Peeler’s office. Grim is facing a minimum mandatory 10-year sentence in prison to a maximum life sentence, a maximum fine of $1 million and five years supervised release. Sentencing has not been scheduled. There is no parole in the federal system.

Grim was first arrested in Thomas County on March 14, 2019, in possession of drug paraphernalia. He told investigators that he was regularly obtaining large quantities of methamphetamine for several years from Joseph “Bae Bae” Jones, 30, of Cairo, including four days prior to the interview in Cairo. Grim, who was on probation, was released and told to have no further contact with Jones.

Three days later, on March 17, 2019, agents conducting a legal wiretap on phones used by Jones intercepted Grim placing an order with Jones for a large quantity of methamphetamine. Agents continued to intercept multiple calls placed by Grim to Jones seeking methamphetamine. On April 26, 2019, agents intercepted a final call by Grim to Jones to purchase methamphetamine at 159 Alison Drive. Under camera and physical surveillance, Grim was seen traveling to 159 Alison Drive and departing.

Officers pulled Grim over and found him with one ounce of methamphetamine. Grim told officers he “shopped with Jones” up to 20 times in the 44 days since he was first interviewed by agents.

Jones is charged with a total of 12 counts listed in the indictment, including conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Jones faces a maximum life imprisonment for his crimes. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt. Jones is detained pending his trial. A court date has not been scheduled.

“Law enforcement is cracking down on suppliers and dealers of methamphetamine across the Middle District of Georgia,” Peeler said. “Those caught trafficking meth will be prosecuted and will face severe punishment for choosing to push this deadly drug in our communities. I want to thank the DEA, GBI, Grady County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas Vice/Narcotics Squad and the Cairo Police Department for their excellent work investigating methamphetamine trafficking in our region.”

“Illegal drugs are dangerous on the streets of Georgia,” GBI Director Vic Reynolds said. “The GBI is committed to getting these drugs off of the streets by bringing to justice all those that take part in the illegal drug trade, from the supplier down to the dealer.”

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Grady County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas Vice/Narcotics Squad and Cairo Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the government.