Three Athens Area Methamphetamine Traffickers Sentenced To Serve Over Thirty Years In Federal Prison

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Steven Chance Massey, 25, of Hull, Georgia, Christopher Phillip Vaughn, 37, of Martin, Georgia, and Talsey Cleveland McCullough, 33, of Comer, Georgia, were sentenced Tuesday to two hundred (200) months, one hundred twenty (120) months, and ninety (90) months imprisonment, respectively, by the Honorable C. Ashley Royal, Chief United States District Judge in  Athens, Georgia following their federal methamphetamine trafficking and firearms convictions. 

On August 31, 2013, Athens-Clarke County Police Officers arrested an individual when they found him to be in possession of a distribution quantity of methamphetamine and a stolen firearm.   Officers traced the methamphetamine and firearm back to an area hotel and found Defendants Massey, Vaughn, and McCullough in possession of a significant quantity — over 500 grams — of methamphetamine intended for further distribution in the Athens area along with several firearms, cash, digital scales, and cash. 

In May 2014, Massey and Vaughn each pleaded guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and McCullough pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. “Drugs and guns are a deadly combination and a continuing scourge on our communities.  Hopefully these sentences will convince others inclined to engage in the illegal methamphetamine trade that such activity is not worth the cost when caught.”

The case was investigated by members of the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Danial E. Bennett.

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Karen Moore, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2606.