Six Defendants In Vast Cocaine Conspiracy Sentenced

Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that six defendants in a far-reaching conspiracy to distribute cocaine were sentenced to Federal prison on Wednesday, November 29, 2017, by the Honorable Hugh Lawson, Senior United States District Judge in Valdosta.  

Those individuals and their respective sentences include:

Ivan Starks, age 47 of Ocala, Florida- 188 months

Ozell Lane, Jr., age 39 of Adel, Georgia - 96 months

Marvin Dumas, age 52 of Tifton, Georgia- 78 months

Willis Lee Young, age 41 of Adel, Georgia- 57 months

Adrian Lloyd, age 42 of Tifton, Georgia- 57 months

Chris Waters, age 50 of Tifton, Georgia- 48 months.

There is no parole in the Federal system.

            From January 1, 2013, through December 10, 2014, the defendants acquired kilogram quantities of cocaine ultimately distributed throughout Cook, Colquitt and Tift County, Georgia. Between August 29, 2014, and September 28, 2014, intercepted communications revealed the defendants along with other members of the conspiracy participated in the acquisition and further distribution of between 10 to 15 kilograms of cocaine per week. On September 25, 2014, a traffic stop of conspirators Jose Martinez, Jessica Tellez, and Juan Sanchez Hidalgo resulted in the seizure of $225,937 of drug money en route to Juan Pablo Cuevas. Search warrants executed that same date on residences of Maurice Todd Carter, James Waters, and other defendants resulted in the seizure of an additional approximately $50,000, 3 kilograms of cocaine and 11 firearms. The listed defendants are the latest to be sentenced in this far-reaching conspiracy. Twelve other defendants have already been sentenced for their role in the ongoing illegal drug enterprise.

“The outstanding cooperation between federal, state and local law enforcement in this investigation has brought about the dismantling of a very significant drug distribution enterprise, which was a major supplier of illicit drugs in the South Georgia area,” stated U.S. Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “The work of the investigators and prosecutors on this matter have made our communities in this area safer places to live.”

“Numerous communities in middle Georgia can sleep better tonight knowing that this far-reaching cocaine trafficking organization has been dismantled,” said Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This case demonstrates how DEA and its local, state and federal law enforcement partners form a united front to disrupt, dismantle and destroy drug trafficking organizations.”

“These convictions demonstrate the great work of law enforcement at all levels to investigate and prosecute the distribution of narcotics affecting Georgia and our surrounding states.  The GBI remains committed to working with our local and federal partners in drug enforcement to address these types of crimes and make our communities safer,” commented Special Agent in Charge Kim Baker of the GBI Region 15 Field Office.

           The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, and the Tift, Crisp, Cook, and Colquitt County Sheriff’s Offices.  Assistant United States Attorney Julia Bowen is handling the prosecution for the Government.

            Inquiries regarding the case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey at the United States Attorney’s Office at 478-752-3511.