U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia

06/19/2026

On Juneteenth, we recommit ourselves to the work of equity, equality, and justice. And, we celebrate the centuries of struggle, courage, and hope that have brought us to this time of progress and possibility.

United States Attorneys' Offices

06/15/2026

On this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the reminds families, caregivers, and communities that awareness and conversation are key to preventing and abuse. Visit fbi.gov/elderfraud to learn more about common elder schemes, and how you can help protect your loved ones.

06/12/2026

Two Life Prison Sentences for Major Athens M**h Dealer in Homeland Security Task Force Case

Authorities Dismantled M**h Lab Supplied by Traffickers Hiding Drugs from Mexico in Jalapeños Boxes

MACON, Ga. – The man who distributed hundreds of kilograms of m**hamphetamine from the Rapid L**e in Athens where he worked, covertly stashing boxes in the shop, was sentenced to life in prison today as part of a Homeland Security Task Force investigation into a cross-border drug ring moving thousands of kilograms of drugs from Mexico in boxes of jalapeños to a conversion lab in Monroe, Georgia.

James Len Ramey, 54, of Comer, Georgia, was sentenced to serve two life sentences in federal prison, one for each count to be served concurrently, after he previously pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute m**hamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute m**hamphetamine on Oct. 14, 2025. His federal sentence will be served consecutively to his undischarged terms of imprisonment in Habersham County, Georgia, Superior Court Case No. 13CR165RS and Lumpkin County, Georgia, Superior Court Case No. 2013CR183JP. U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self III presided over the case. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Mexican drug cartels rely on local collaborators to move deadly illegal substances into our country and distribute them, like James Ramey. Without these willing participants, these poisons would never cross the border or devastate lives here,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “The Homeland Security Task Force is focused on dismantling violent organizations, and with our law enforcement partners, we will keep bringing every member to justice to protect our communities.”

"This investigation is a prime example of the critical work being done to dismantle violent drug trafficking organizations that operate with impunity, bringing dangerous narcotics into our communities,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Atlanta Office. “The FBI’s role in this investigation, alongside our dedicated federal, state and local law enforcement partners, has led to the disruption of a significant m**hamphetamine operation and the arrest of multiple individuals responsible for poisoning our communities.”

“Ramey pleaded guilty to conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute m**hamphetamine,” said HSI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Steven N. Schrank. “He used his job at Rapid L**e, obtained through a prison work-release program, as a cover for trafficking. After his arrest, nearly 14 kilograms of m**h were found hidden at the shop. By targeting every level of these operations — from international suppliers to local distributors — the Homeland Security Task Force is making our neighborhoods safer and sending a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated.”

“M**hamphetamine destroys families, fuels violent crime and erodes the safety of our neighborhoods,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “By taking down this network of a dozen traffickers, we’re not just removing drugs, we’re removing the source of addiction, exploitation and tragedy in our communities.”

“This investigation underscores the power of collaboration between federal, state, and local partners to dismantle large-scale drug trafficking operations that threaten our communities,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The sheer volume of m**hamphetamine seized in this case represents thousands of lives that could have been destroyed. The GBI remains committed to working alongside our partners to identify, investigate, and stop transnational criminal networks operating in Georgia.”

“The vast amount of m**hamphetamine being supplied is truly alarming and serves as a strong reminder that even in safe, close-knit communities like Walton County, we must stay vigilant,” said Walton County Sheriff Keith Brooks. “Collaboration at all governmental levels is essential for operational success, and we appreciate the strong partnerships.”

“This investigation is another great example of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies working together toward the shared goal of keeping our community safe. I’m proud of the collaboration and teamwork invested in this case, which led to the seizure of a significant amount of dangerous drugs. These substances have devastating effects on our community and far too often claim lives unnecessarily. Because of the continued dedication of these men and women, there are fewer narcotics and violent offenders on our streets, and our community is safer as a result,” said Athens Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters.

According to court documents and statements made in court, the FBI in Athens received information in January 2024 that Ramey was selling kilograms of m**hamphetamine from Rapid L**e in Athens, where he worked. The FBI investigation revealed that Ramey was supplied with drugs by individuals operating a m**hamphetamine conversion lab inside a residence on Mountain Creek Church Road in Monroe (Walton County), who were receiving the drugs from Mexico, stashed in boxes of jalapeños. The m**hamphetamine was imported into the United States in liquid form, converted at a clandestine conversion laboratory, and ultimately distributed by Ramey to a network of downstream dealers.

For more information about this case, including Ramey’s co-defendants and the conversion lab, please visit: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/defendants-face-justice-distributing-3200-kilos-m**hamphetamine.

Ramey received approximately 30 kilograms of m**hamphetamine every two weeks from his Mexico-based source of supply, whom Ramey met while serving a state prison sentence for possession of m**hamphetamine with intent to distribute in Lumpkin County, Georgia, Superior Court. The investigation found that Ramey led a sophisticated drug trafficking network that relied upon Mexican suppliers, coded communications, couriers, stash locations, and conversion laboratories capable of producing hundreds of kilograms of m**hamphetamine.

Ramey took advantage of his employment at the Rapid L**e, a position obtained through a state prison work-release program to facilitate his transition back into lawful society, as the base of operations for his large-scale drug trafficking organization. Ramey would secretly store the drugs in boxes at the shop while coordinating transactions and directing the activities of couriers and distributors.

After Ramey’s July 3, 2024, arrest and over the next several months, Rapid L**e employees uncovered an additional 13,992.57 grams of m**hamphetamine he had hidden at the shop. Ramey is responsible for distributing hundreds of kilograms of m**hamphetamine and repeatedly providing direct support to a Mexico-based drug trafficking organization by sending money across the border to pay for the narcotics he received.

This investigation and prosecution are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threaten the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from the ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case for the Government.

🔗 https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/two-life-prison-sentences-major-athens-m**hamphetamine-dealer-homeland-security-task

The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorneys' Offices
FBI - Atlanta
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Homeland Security
Drug Enforcement Administration - DEA
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Walton County GA Sheriff's Office
Athens-Clarke County Police Department

06/11/2026

This , parents and trusted adults can help kids and teens protect their privacy online by encouraging three key actions:

📍 Turn off location sharing
🔒 Set accounts to private
👥 Remove strangers from friends lists

Check out the Top 10 Tips2Protect for Parents and Trusted Adults at 🔗 https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2026-02/26_0226_k2p_Top-10-Tips2Protect_parents-trusted-adults.pdf.

Information courtesy of Know2Protect.



The United States Department of Justice
Department of Homeland Security
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Georgia Bureau of Investigation
FBI - Atlanta
United States Attorneys' Offices

06/10/2026

Final Defendant Sentenced in $3 Million Bank Fraud Conspiracy Investigation

MACON, Ga. – The final defendant tied to a larger FBI investigation into a $3 million bank fraud conspiracy targeting a Morris Bank branch in Gray, Georgia, was sentenced to prison for his role in cashing checks in violation of the federal Bank Secrecy Act.

Read more about the investigation here 🔗 https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/final-defendant-sentenced-3-million-bank-fraud-conspiracy-investigation

The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorneys' Offices
FBI - Atlanta
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation

06/03/2026

The Justice Department just announced the Model Cities Initiative which will grant funds to 2-4 cities with a population of 100k or more who are committed to a whole-of-government partnership to reduce violent crime, restore law and order, and modernize their public safety infrastructure.

🔗https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/making-america-safe-again-doj-award-300-million-model-cities-dedicated-restoring-law-and

Under POTUS’s leadership, our office is committed to delivering results and we encourage our public safety partners to apply before September 1st: www.justice.gov/grants

05/27/2026

Seven Indicted in Alleged Prison-Run Drug Network Linked to Cartels

Kilos of M**h, Fentanyl Seized in Homeland Security Task Force Investigation

VALDOSTA, Ga. — U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes today announced that seven people, including four who reentered the country illegally, have been indicted for a fentanyl and m**hamphetamine trafficking network directed by a state inmate with ties to Mexican cartels, following a Homeland Security Task Force investigation led by Homeland Security Investigations and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

As part of the investigation, law enforcement seized about 35 kilograms of suspected crystal m**hamphetamine and 3.5 kilograms of suspected fentanyl with a street value of $225,000 plus $145,000 in cash. The investigation led to the discovery of two clandestine drug labs.

The initial appearances for the defendants will occur in the U.S. Magistrate Court in Albany, Georgia, at a date set by the Court. The defendants are in federal custody.

The federal indictment in Case No. 7:26-cr-00014, filed on May 13, charges the following individuals:

Luis Alfonso Ramirez, aka “Poncho,” aka “OG Ponch,” 40, of Washington State Prison, located in the Middle District of Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Jacquez Latron Franks, 41, of Gainesville, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Ramiro Villa Chaves, aka “Ramiro Villa Chavez,” 39, of Union City, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Misael Benitez Bustos, 33, of Hampton, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Alejandro Renteria Blanco, 46, of Lilburn, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Bergin Zeylaya Flores, 26, of Brookhaven, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Monique Renee Burton, 32, of Gainesville,is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.

Chavez, Bustos, Blanco, and Flores are in the U.S. illegally and have previously been deported or removed.

According to court documents and statements made in court, beginning as early as October 2024 and continuing until this month, the defendants allegedly conspired to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute 50 grams or more of m**hamphetamine and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. In July 2025, the HSI Violent Gang Unit and the GBI Metro Gang Task Force began an HSTF investigation into the alleged criminal actions of Ramirez, an inmate in the Georgia Department of Corrections who was suspected of trafficking large amounts of fentanyl and crystal m**hamphetamine using contraband cellphones, including when he was housed at Valdosta State Prison.

Ramirez is an alleged member of the Norteños criminal street gang with ties to Mexican drug cartels. At the time of the alleged offense, both Franks and Villa Chavez had separate prior serious drug felony convictions. The investigation revealed an alleged drug trafficking network operating in numerous counties within Georgia, including Hall, Cobb, Gwinnett, DeKalb, Fulton, Douglas, and Spalding.

This investigation and prosecution are part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative. The HSTF is a United States government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, transnational gangs, and transnational criminal organizations worldwide. This initiative identifies TCOs engaged in a wide range of criminal schemes that violate federal law, while dismantling cross-border human smuggling and trafficking networks that fuel violence and instability that threaten the safety and security of the United States and its global partners. It also places a particular emphasis on criminal offenses involving children and ensures the use of all available law enforcement tools to prosecute offenders and/or facilitate the removal of criminal aliens from the United States. Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from the ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, and the prosecution is being led by the Office of the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.

HSI and GBI are investigating the case with critical assistance from the FBI North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force, GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, GBI West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, Clayton County Sheriff's Office, Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gwinnett County Sheriff's Office, Spalding County Sheriff's Office, and East Point Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison is prosecuting the case for the Government.

An indictment is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorneys' Offices
Department of Homeland Security
Georgia Bureau of Investigation

VALDOSTA, Ga. — U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes today announced that seven people, including four who reentered the country illegally, have been indicted for a fentanyl and m**hamphetamine trafficking network directed by a state inmate with ties to Mexican cartels, following a Homeland S...

05/25/2026

We join with all Americans to honor our armed service members who gave all to preserve our freedom and the families they left behind. We can never repay the debt of gratitude we owe our veterans who have sacrificed so much.

05/22/2026

In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, our team is proud to give back to our community through meaningful acts of service.

This week, we donated “Buddy Bags” for children served by the Children’s Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, Georgia—a vital organization supporting children and families in our region by providing clinical and forensic services to those who have experienced abuse and other traumatic events.

Each child who visits the center receives a bag filled with comfort items such as art supplies, fidget toys, and hygiene products, helping make a difficult time a bit brighter.

If you’d like to learn more or support their mission, visit https://caclowndes.org.



Children's Advocacy Center of Lowndes County, Inc.
The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorneys' Offices
Lowndes County Sheriff's Office - Valdosta, Georgia
Valdosta Police Department
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children

05/19/2026

Three Sentenced in Operation Mobile Order: Macon Drug House Distributed Kilos of Co***ne; 26 Fi****ms, Including a Machine Gun, Seized

MACON, Ga. – Three more members of an armed drug trafficking organization have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing large quantities of drugs in Macon because of Operation Mobile Order, a coordinated investigation led by the FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

“Operation Mobile Order demonstrates that law enforcement will identify, dismantle and hold accountable criminal organizations threatening our communities,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “The members of this armed drug trafficking organization have been brought to justice for their crimes, ensuring they are held responsible for the harm they caused in our community.”

“Operation Mobile Order dismantled a violent drug trafficking organization that treated a Macon neighborhood like a retail storefront for co***ne, backed by an arsenal of fi****ms,” said Robert Gibbs, Supervisory Senior Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “This investigation shows the FBI’s commitment to targeting criminal networks that fuel addiction, violence and fear in our communities. We will continue to work should-to-shoulder with our partners to make Central Georgia a safer place to live.”

“Operation Mobile Order represents the best in local and federal law enforcement partnerships,” said Bibb County Sheriff David Davis. “Together, FBI agents and Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigators worked tirelessly to bring this cadre of criminals to justice. Our community is much better off with these peddlers of poison off our streets.”

The following defendants were sentenced today, on May 19:

Roosevelt Cole, aka “Froball,” 52, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 170 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 6.

Marvin Huff, aka “Black,” 50, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 125 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 8.

Trayvon Simmons, aka “Abo,” 29, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 6.

The following defendant was sentenced to prison on April 2:

Antonyo Daniels, aka “Tony,” 31, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 250 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Jan. 8.

The following defendants were sentenced to prison on March 2:

Devonta Jackson, 31, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 155 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025.

Laderion Jacobs, aka “Johnny,” aka “Johnny Cain,” 30, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025.

Ladarrious King, 31, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 70 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Dec. 2, 2025.

The following defendant was sentenced to prison on Feb. 5:

Leroy Mintz, aka “Booman,” 29, of Macon, was sentenced to serve 132 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on Nov. 20, 2025.

The following defendants pleaded guilty and will be sentenced later:

Eddie Reese, 53, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on June 18, 2025, and faces a maximum of 40 years in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release and a maximum $5 million fine.

Alton Oliver, aka “Alo,” aka “Lo,” 43, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on Jan. 8, and faces a maximum of life in prison.

Roddreckious Williams, 33, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of co***ne base and one count of distribution of co***ne on Jan. 21, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release and a maximum $1 million fine per count.

U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell is presiding over the case. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court documents and statements in court, in 2022 and 2023, the FBI conducted Operation Mobile Order, a Macon-centered investigation targeting an armed drug trafficking organization led by Reese. During the investigation, the FBI ran nine controlled purchases of co***ne and crack co***ne, and intercepted phone calls and text messages, detailing transactions involving kilograms of co***ne from an Atlanta supplier.

The main drug distribution site, also known as a trap house, was located on Richard Street in Macon. This busy location functioned similarly to a restaurant, with members of Reese’s organization assigned shifts to distribute drugs. Recorded calls captured Reese discussing drug overdoses in the community, claiming that if the drugs causing those overdoses had come from his Richard Street operation, “everyone in Macon would be dead.”

The FBI executed 11 federal search warrants in Macon, Warner Robins and Atlanta on Nov. 20, 2023, including at the Richards Street trap house, seizing co***ne, 26 fi****ms and $93,247. The machine gun was seized at co-conspirator Oliver’s home on Williamson Road in Macon.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

The FBI and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case.

U.S. Attorney Will Keyes is prosecuting the case for the Government.

🔗 https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/three-sentenced-macons-operation-mobile-order-investigation

The United States Department of Justice
United States Attorneys' Offices
FBI - Atlanta
FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation
Bibb County Sheriff's Office
Macon Regional Crimestoppers