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Press Release

Thomasville, Georgia, Resident Convicted in Meth Distribution Case

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia
Co-Defendant Pleaded Guilty; Pair Obtained Meth from Atlanta for Distribution in South Georgia

VALDOSTA, Ga. –A Thomasville, Georgia, resident was convicted by a federal jury this week of possessing with intent to distribute a large quantity of methamphetamine.

Ryan Loyd Reeves, 50, was convicted on July 19 of one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine in a one-day trial before U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson. Reeves faces a minimum mandatory sentence of ten years up to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $10,000,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 15.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to supporting local law enforcement’s efforts to prevent the distribution of the most dangerous illegal drugs into their communities and hold dealers accountable for their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “We are thankful for the continued partnership between law enforcement at all levels to make our communities safer for all citizens.”

“Poisonous drugs continue to flow into our communities at the expense of too many lives,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These drug traffickers must now deal with the consequences of their actions.”

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, officers with the Thomas County/Thomasville Narcotics and Vice Division learned in Oct. 2021 that Reeves and co-defendant, Jennifer McGrotha, 46, of Ochlocknee, Georgia, were regularly working together to transport heroin, fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine from Atlanta to the Thomas County area for distribution. The pair used multiple vehicles during these trips to avoid detection, including vehicles that Reeves was supposed to be repairing for others. During the investigation, law enforcement determined Reeves and McGrotha were headed to Atlanta to obtain drugs; law enforcement initiated a traffic stop once they returned to Thomas County. A K-9 dog alerted on drugs inside the car. A subsequent search of the vehicle recovered 420 grams of methamphetamine intended for distribution into the community. Co-defendant McGrotha pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on May 11. She is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 20.

The case was investigated by DEA and the Thomas County Sheriff's Office/Thomasville Police Department Narcotics and Vice Division. Criminal Chief Leah McEwen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Melody Ellis are prosecuting the case for the Government.

Updated July 21, 2023

Topic
Project Safe Neighborhoods