Pleas, sentences handed down in federal court in southwest Georgia drug cases

LEESBURG — A guilty plea was announced in a federal drug case with a Lee County connection recently, while a Cairo woman was sentenced for possession of items intended for the manufacture of methamphetamine.

Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced on Friday the guilty plea to possession with intent to distribute meth entered by Kevin Alford, 41, of Greenville, before U.S. District Judge Leslie J. Abrams on May 16. In addition to the plea by Alford, Donna Parks, 37, of Greenville, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge which arose from the same incident as that leading to Alford’s indictment and plea.

Court officials said a cooperating witness, who had previously been provided meth by Alford, set up a meeting with Alford in Leesburg at the FairFax Motel to take delivery of more meth. Drug Enforcement Administration agents contacted Lee County Sheriff’s Office personnel to advise them of the anticipated arrival of Alford, and deputies set up surveillance to await Alford’s arrival at the motel.

As anticipated, Alford arrived in a rental vehicle accompanied by Parks. A search of the vehicle uncovered meth, marijuana, multiple cellphones and a loaded .38 caliber Smith and Wesson revolver.

Alford’s plea subjects him to a minimum mandatory term of imprisonment of 10 years and a maximum term of imprisonment for life, a fine of up to $10 million, or both. Parks’ guilty plea subjects her to a sentence of not less than 10 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, or both.

Both Alford and Parks are convicted felons. Court officials said that, after being advised of his Miranda rights and waiving the same, Alford acknowledged his multiple prior felony convictions and provided limited details into his drug distribution operation.

Officials said Parks admitted that she was in joint possession of the firearm along with Alford.

Search warrants were obtained for the cellphones recovered, which contained “numerous” text messages between Alford and unknown persons regarding the acquisition and distribution of quantities of drugs. The meth was submitted for laboratory analysis and found to weigh 330 grams and be 95 percent pure d-meth hydrochloride.

“Convicted felons carrying guns and selling drugs are just the type of criminals that the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative is designed to remove from our communities,” Peeler said. “My office shall prosecute all such cases with all appropriate vigor to help alleviate the dual scourges of gun violence and drug addiction afflicting our society.”

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

This case was investigated by the DEA and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen prosecuted the case for the federal government.

Peeler also announced Friday that on May 31, Senior U.S. District Court Judge W. Louis Sands sentenced Yalanda Mills, 36, of Cairo, to 98 months imprisonment for the offense of possession of items intended for the manufacture of meth. Mills was also ordered to pay restitution related to the hazardous materials cleanup and for medical bills sustained when one of the officers responding to the scene was overcome by toxic fumes emitted from the meth lab.

Mills had earlier pleaded guilty and admitted that in 2015 she purchased and possessed lithium batteries and camp fuel, which she provided to Cary Brandon Smith for his use in manufacturing meth in Grady County.

“The manufacture of methamphetamine in our communities presents a special danger over and above that of the impact of its use on addicts,” Peeler said. “It creates toxic waste residue, which is a hazard to all in the vicinity for years to come without the proper clean-up. It is my hope that this sentence demonstrates to everyone that doing anything to assist someone else in the commission of a crime such as this is a very bad decision.

“Here, Ms. Mills’ acquisition and possession of otherwise legal items was a crucial part of Smith’s ability to carry out his dangerous activity.”

The Mills case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Grady County Sheriff’s Office and the Cairo Police Department. McEwen prosecuted the case for the federal government.