Four Walton County Residents Sentenced In Continued Dismantling Of Monroe Drug And Gun Conspiracy

ATHENS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that four defendants were sentenced on September 5, 2018, by the Honorable C. Ashley Royal in Athens for their roles in an illegal drug and firearms distribution conspiracy.

In approximately May 2015, Monroe Police Department (MPD) officers began investigating drugs and gang activities in and around Davis Street and Lacy Street in Monroe, Georgia.  Members of the Monroe Police Department Drug Unit partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to tackle the increased activity by Gangster Disciples gang members in the area. Ultimately, numerous co-conspirators were identified and indicted in the Middle District of Georgia on a variety of drug and firearm distribution charges.

The following four (4) defendants were sentenced on September 5, 2018:

•             Lachievious Smith a/k/a “Chief,” “Cheese,” “Chiev,” age 30, of Monroe , Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  June 14, 2018

               Offense:  Distribution of Crack Cocaine

               Sentence:  200 months imprisonment    

•             Chauncey Brantley a/k/a “Murder,” age 23, of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  June 13, 2018

               Offenses:   Distribution of Methamphetamine;

                                Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime

               Sentence:  120 months imprisonment

•             Kendarious Gaither a/k/a “KD,” age 22, of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  June 1, 2018

               Offense:  Possession of a Firearm in Relation to a Drug Trafficking Crime

               Sentence:  60 months imprisonment

•             Emmanuel Smith, a/k/a “Man-Man,” age 32, of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  June 1, 2018

                Offense:  Distribution of Crack Cocaine

                Sentence:  30 months imprisonment

       The following defendants were previously sentenced:

•             Anthony Smith, a/k/a “Ant,” “Unc,” of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  January 3, 2018

               Offense:  Distribution of Crack Cocaine

               Sentence date:  April 17, 2018

               Sentence:  34 months imprisonment

•             Brittany Porter, of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  January 3, 2018

               Offense:  Distribution of Crack Cocaine

               Sentence date:  April 17, 2018

               Sentence:  10 months imprisonment

•             Krysty Davis-Smith, of Monroe, Georgia

               Guilty plea entered:  November 16, 2017

               Offense:  Distribution of Crack Cocaine

               Sentence date:  February 4, 2018

               Sentence:  3 years of probation

Another co-defendant, James Anthony Johnson, entered a guilty plea on June 4, 2018, to Distribution of Crack Cocaine   Mr. Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled for October 3, 2018.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority.  In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.

“Organizations that attempt to control areas of our community so they can deal drugs and sell guns with no regard for the safety of others will not be tolerated,” said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler.  “I want to thank the FBI and the Monroe Police Department for their hard work in this investigation.” 

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Monroe Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett handled the prosecution of the defendants. 

Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or pam.lightsey@usdoj.gov.