Lee County Man Sentenced For Narcotics And Firearms Offenses Under Project Safe Neighborhoods

ALBANY: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that on May 16, 2018, United States District Court Judge Leslie J. Abrams sentenced Chad Curry, age 51, of Leesburg, GA, to 130 months imprisonment for the offenses of Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine (70 months) and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime (60 months).  The sentences will run consecutively.

There is no parole in the federal system. 

At his guilty plea hearing earlier this year, Mr. Curry admitted that on July 1, 2016, he possessed with intent to distribute about one ounce of crystal methamphetamine, two bags of marijuana, a .25 caliber handgun and items consistent with the manufacture of methamphetamine, which were found in the execution of a search warrant at his residence in Leesburg, Georgia.  Mr. Curry further admitted that he had been acquiring methamphetamine from sources in Atlanta, Georgia, and Phoenix City, Alabama, for redistribution, as well as manufacturing some quantities of methamphetamine himself. 

“Mr. Curry not only sold highly addictive drugs but was willing to protect his illegal activity through violence if necessary, as evidenced by his possession of a handgun while doing so.  Because of that weapon, he received a consecutive five year sentence in addition to what he received for selling drugs. Gun crime means extra time in the federal system,” said United States Attorney Peeler.    

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.  

The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration.  Assistant United States Attorney Leah E. McEwen prosecuted the case for the United States.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.