U.S. Attorney Commends GBI, Partner Agencies For Shutting Down Narcotics Operation
22 of 23 defendants charged with various federal drug crimes linked to a large narcotics and methamphetamine ring operating out of a Southwest Georgia community have been sentenced to prison for their crimes, announced Charles “Charlie” Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia. U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner handed down sentences for 22 defendants concluding on Wednesday, January 22, 2020 at the federal courthouse in Albany. The remaining defendant awaiting sentencing, Alejandro Bustamante, will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of criminal contempt of court.
On January 22, 2020:
Gabino Tobias, 45, of Fairburn, Georgia was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Maria Del Carmen Salazar Mirales, 46, of Fairburn, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Gricelda Bustamante-Gutierrez, 37, of Norman Park, Georgia was sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Ricardo Gutierrez, 32, of Norman Park, was sentenced to 292 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On January 16, 2020:
Kristen Dismuke, 31, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 42 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Trabian Jones, 43, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 12 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana;
Eric Townsend, 31, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Torranza McNeal, aka “Cheese,” aka “Meke,” was sentenced to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine base.
On January 15, 2020:
Brenton Miller, 32, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 180 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine;
Regina Miller, 36, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine;
Ramon White, 37, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 36 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine;
James Fielder, 35, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine.
On January 14, 2020:
Josh Whaley, 38, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 54 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Tony Stamper, aka “Buggie,” 31, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 60 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to cocaine and marijuana;
Bryant Pittman, aka “John Gotti,” 36, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 200 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
On January 13, 2020:
David Spradley, aka “ManMan,” 37, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 218 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Johntavious Johnson, aka “Mikey,” 33, of Moultrie, was sentenced to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to one county conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Jarvis West, 32, of Moultrie, was each sentenced to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to one county conspiracy with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Ricardo Bodiford, aka “Rico,” 34, of Moultrie, was sentenced on January 13, 2020 to 260 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
In earlier proceedings:
Stacy McLellan, 50, of Norman Park, was sentenced on May 13, 2019 to 160 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine;
Eric Lamar, 37, of Moultrie, was sentenced on October 16, 2019 to 24 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana;
Brad Tuff, 39, of Moultrie, was sentenced on March 13, 2019 to 21 months in prison after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana.
Investigators began a court-authorized wiretap on Bodiford’s cell phones on April 9, 2018. The wiretap investigation continued until law enforcement agents executed search warrants on several locations across Moultrie, Georgia from May 7-8, 2019, locating large amounts of illicit drugs, including two pounds of methamphetamine, one kilogram of cocaine, 13 pounds of marijuana, loaded firearms and cash, among other amounts of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
“I cannot overstate the good work of the GBI partnering with other dedicated federal and local law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation for their work shutting down a dangerous methamphetamine ring. Their effort directly resulted in large amounts of harmful narcotics taken off our streets, saving countless lives and making our communities safer,” said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney. “Dealers be warned: Criminals caught violating federal drug laws will be prosecuted, and the penalties are steep.”
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Moultrie Police Department and the Leon County Florida Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.
