BRUNSWICK, GA – Two dozen people have been indicted on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges related to a distribution ring operating in south Georgia and northern Florida.
A superseding indictment unsealed today in U.S. District Court in Brunswick charges Robert Johnson, 52, of Jacksonville, Fla., as a supplier to previously indicted members of the conspiracy. During a search of Johnson’s home, agents seized quantities of multiple controlled substances including cocaine, MDMA – also known as Molly – heroin and marijuana, announced Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
The indictment alleges that Johnson was a supplier to the other 23 members of the trafficking ring, which distributed large amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine, MDMA, marijuana and other drugs throughout Georgia and Florida. The operation started more than a year ago as a joint federal, state and local investigation into violent gang and drug trafficking activities in Glynn County, Ga., led by the FBI, the Glynn County Police Department and the Brunswick Police Department.
In addition to Johnson, others indicted are:
Maurice Fields, 34 Brunswick, Ga.;
Eric Reneantonio Stuckey, 29, Brunswick, Ga.;
Javon Arashalla Newton, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Xontavious Dionte Hawkins, 32, Brunswick, Ga.;
Bronco Darelle Jackson, 33, Brunswick, Ga.;
Wilbert Lee Stephens Jr., 26, Brunswick, Ga.;
Zahria Jane Boston, 20, Atlanta, Ga.;
Andrew Riley, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Anthony Kanyatta Seals, 42, Brunswick, Ga.;
Michael Arthur Nixon, 59, Brunswick, Ga.;
Mario Capers, 37, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jose Salguero, 30, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jermaine Tyrone Fuller, 38, Brunswick, Ga.;
Derrick Bernard Johnson, 43, Brunswick, Ga.;
Alex Dion Manor, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jimmy Bradwell Ferrell, 54, Brunswick, Ga.;
Malik Williams, 24, Brunswick, Ga.;
Reginald Andre Beckham Sr., 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
Jamal David Gaines, 34, Jacksonville, Florida
Elliot Loyranzy Armstrong, 45, Brunswick, Ga.;
Timothy John Sallins, 46, Brunswick, Ga.;
John Draxell Buckley, 58, Brunswick, Ga.; and,
Camron Thomas, 36, Brunswick, Ga.;
All of the defendants are charged with conspiracy, with some facing additional charges including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime. Most of the defendants have been arrested and brought before a federal Magistrate Judge in Brunswick for their initial appearances. Upon conviction, many of the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, and in federal prison there is no parole.
During the investigation, authorities seized significant amounts of controlled substances, along with an AR-15 rifle and multiple handguns.
“These indictments represent the third major takedown of a criminal drug-distribution conspiracy in the lower part of the Southern District of Georgia just this year,” said Southern District of Georgia U.S. Attorney Bobby L. Christine. “Similar operations in March and October netted 27 arrests for distributing poison in our communities, and we are committed to coordinating with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to make our neighborhoods safer.”
“The federal indictments in this case emphasize our commitment to rid our communities of the threat of violence from organizations who plague our streets distributing drugs,” said Chris Hacker, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Forces, comprised of federal, state and local law enforcement officers, will continue to commit extensive resources toward dismantling these types of organizations.”
“The Glynn County Police Department is honored to have such a great working relationship with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners as well as federal and state prosecutors,” said Glynn County Police Chief John Powell. “Working together we will ensure a safer community for our citizens.”
A criminal indictment contains only charges. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer Kirkland and Marcela Mateo are prosecuting the cases on behalf of the United States.
