Nightclub owner and long-time fugitive sentenced to 11 years of federal prison for drug trafficking

ATLANTA – Christopher Dixon, a/k/a “Yardman,” a fugitive from justice for almost six years, has been sentenced to prison for trafficking over 1,000 pounds of marijuana and approximately 25,000 pills of MDMA (ecstasy) and BZP (a drug similar to ecstasy). Dixon was involved with a drug organization that distributed over 1 million pills of MDMA and BZP.

“Dixon, and the drug organization that he worked with, distributed a staggering amount of drugs in this District,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Horn. “Fortunately, after years on the lam, Dixon has been brought to justice, and will serve his sentence like the other defendants in this case.”

Daniel R. Salter, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division stated of the sentencing, “This high-level poly-drug trafficker was “collared” because of the great working relationship that DEA has with its federal, state and local counterparts and the United States Attorney’s Office. Mr. Dixon eluded justice for several years, but his days on the run came to an abrupt end when he was ultimately captured. He will now spend well-deserved time in prison for the crimes he committed and his apprehension makes our communities a safer place today.”

According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: From late-2009 to late-2010, several state, federal, and international agencies conducted an investigation of an Atlanta drug trafficking organization that used corrupt law enforcement officers to further its illegal activities. Ultimately, the investigation resulted in the arrest, indictment, and conviction of more than 15 defendants, including Dixon.

For his part, Dixon executed countless drug transactions and supervised several lower-level drug traffickers, while simultaneously running Club Xpose (a nightclub in DeKalb County). In total, Dixon distributed approximately 25,000 pills of MDMA and BZP and 1,000 pounds of marijuana. In particular, on June 21, 2010, based on wiretapped calls and a covert surveillance operation, law enforcement officers caught Dixon in a stolen car with approximately 4,000 pills of MDMA and BZP and loaded handgun. During the course of the conspiracy, Dixon used former-DeKalb County Police Officer Donald Bristol to obtain sensitive law enforcement information. Bristol was previously sentenced to a year and a day in prison for his conduct.

On December 15, 2010, law enforcement officers executed a series of coordinated arrests. As part of the take-down, agents attempted to arrest Dixon and also had him contacted via telephone. Nevertheless, Dixon failed to turn himself in and remained a fugitive from justice for almost six years. In November 2016, Dixon was arrested on obstruction and marijuana trafficking charges in Franklin County, Georgia.

Christopher Dixon, 44, formerly of DeKalb County, Georgia, has been sentenced to 11 years in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. Dixon pleaded guilty to a conspiratorial drug trafficking charge on June 16, 2017.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration; Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE); ICE - Office of Professional Responsibility; ICE - Office of Inspector General; ICE - Homeland Security Investigations; Jamaican Constabulary Force - Anti-Corruption Branch; DeKalb County Police Department; Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation; Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and Delta Airlines Corporate Security.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey W. Davis, L. Skye Davis, and Dahil Goss prosecuted the case.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Atlanta recommends parents and children learn about the dangers of drugs at the following web site: www.justthinktwice.com.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the home page for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia Atlanta Division is http://www.justice.gov/usao/gan/.