Warner Robins meth trafficker sentenced to federal prison

MACON – A member of an armed methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization operating in middle Georgia was sentenced to serve more than 19 years in prison for his crime.

Travis Warthen, aka “Trap,” 40, of Warner Robins, was sentenced to serve 235 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Warthen previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Sept. 28, 2023. U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal handed down the sentence. There is no parole in the federal prison system.

“Travis Warthen is a repeat armed drug trafficker who put the community at additional risk when he dangerously attempted to outrun law enforcement at high speeds, which he’s done before,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in a news release. “Our office and our law enforcement partners are focused on combatting dangerous armed drug trafficking organizations, which heighten violent crime in our communities.”

“Violent and dangerous drug traffickers are enriching their lives by profiting off someone else’s pain and addiction,” Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division Robert J. Murphy said. “Travis Warthen will now face significant federal prison time for his crime.”

“This organized criminal network peddled poison onto the streets of our community,” Peach County Sheriff Terry W. Deese said. “Most law enforcement agencies don’t have the resources to handle investigations to combat organizations like this one. We are fortunate to have federal, state and local law enforcement agencies in middle Georgia that recognize the benefit of working together to keep our communities safe.”

The following codefendants have been sentenced to prison:

— Heather Marie Breland, 40, of Atlanta, was sentenced to serve 240 months in prison. Breland previously pleaded guilty to one count of aiding and abetting others to possess with intent to distribute more than fifty grams of methamphetamine;

— Randall Heath, 64, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison. Heath previously pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;

— Raiford Reeves, aka “RH,” 44, of Warner Robins was sentenced to serve 210 months in prison. Reeves previously pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine;

— Jeremiah Kaleta, 47, of Warner Robins, was sentenced to serve 77 months in prison. Kaleta previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;

— Lucretia Snellgrove, 52, of Warner Robins, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison. Snellgrove previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine;

— Kendall Howard, 32, of Centerville, was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison. Howard previously pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;

— Luis Acosta, 36, of Centerville, was sentenced to time served. Acosta previously pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances;

— Kenneth Maddox, 32, of Warner Robins, was sentenced to serve four years of probation. Maddox previously pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

According to court documents and statements made in court, between October 2021 and June 2022, DEA agents and local law enforcement investigated a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Reeves and several of his criminal associates, including Warthen and Breland. Breland — the supplier — was distributing kilogram quantities of narcotics, primarily methamphetamine and fentanyl, to Reeves out of her condominium located in Atlanta’s Buckhead neighborhood.

Law enforcement obtained court orders to intercept the phone calls and text messages from cellphones belonging to Breland and Reeves and conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Reeves. Reeves would supply other co-defendants, including Warthen, with some of the narcotics to sell.

On May 25, 2022, Reeves obtained methamphetamine from Breland in Atlanta and met with Warthen in Warner Robins to supply him with the illegal narcotic. After the transaction, agents followed Warthen and attempted a traffic stop. Warthen fled from authorities, driving into oncoming traffic and reaching speeds more than 100 miles per hour. The defendant lost control and wrecked before exiting the vehicle and running on foot.

Warthen fell to the ground and was eventually detained. Agents seized a stolen 9mm caliber handgun under the front passenger seat and found a blue plastic container holding 274.2 grams of methamphetamine in the rear floorboard area. Warthen has a lengthy criminal history, including prior felony convictions in both state and federal courts for illegal drug distribution.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven and multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Warner Robins Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes prosecuted the case for the government.

Special Illustration: Metro Creative