Press Release
Elbert County Felon Sentenced For Conspiring To Distribute More Than $130,000 In Methamphetamine While In Prison
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia
Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that David Benton, age 49, of Elberton, Georgia was sentenced today to serve 227 months in Federal prison for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Mr. Benton was sentenced by the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, Untied States District Judge, in Athens, Georgia.
On October 1, 2013, Mr. Benton was sentenced to state prison for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, fleeing and attempting to elude a police officer, four counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and theft by receiving stolen property. While in prison, authorities monitored Mr. Benton’s phone calls and learned that he had recruited an accomplice to dig up ammunition boxes buried in South Carolina containing methamphetamine and sell the illegal drugs. On December 7, 2013, law enforcement intercepted Mr. Benton’s accomplice, who led the police to the ammunition boxes, which contained 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine, with a street value of approximately $130,000.00.
“Mr. Benton told his accomplice on recorded phone calls that selling drugs would make them rich,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore. “Instead of getting rich, Mr. Benton bought himself another twenty years in federal prison.”
The case was investigated by the Piedmont Northern Multi-Agent Narcotics Squad, the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, the Elberton Police Department and the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina. Assistant United States Attorney Peter Leary prosecuted the case for the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Updated June 26, 2015
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