Leader of Pharmacy Burglary Ring Sentenced To More Than 12 Years in Federal Prison

WAYCROSS, GA – Bradley Williams, 33, from Russell Springs, Kentucky, was sentenced yesterday by Chief District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood to 151 months in prison following his conviction for possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and hydrocodone, Schedule II controlled substances. Williams was one of three defendants charged and convicted in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia in an indictment involving a pharmacy burglary in Waycross, Georgia.

The evidence presented during multiple guilty plea and sentencing hearings showed that Williams and his coconspirators traveled from Russell Springs, Kentucky to Waycross on January 25, 2015, where they broke into a local pharmacy and stole more than 9,000 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills. The group intended to distribute the stolen drugs in Russell County, Kentucky.  Williams was the leader of the group and had a long history of similar conduct dating back to 2004. His history of pharmacy burglaries included locations in Ohio, Tennessee and Kentucky.

U.S. Attorney Edward Tarver said, “Williams and his cohorts traveled far and wide in search of a vulnerable pharmacy from which to steal powerful pain meds. The ill-gotten fruit of their crime spree was intended to put money in their pockets and to fuel drug addictions in their home towns.  Fortunately, the excellent working relationship between the DEA and local police forces in Georgia and Kentucky put an end to their criminal activities.”

In addition to Bradley Williams, the other Defendants convicted and sentenced as part of this prosecution were:

Stephen Williams, 37, Russell Springs, Kentucky, 27 months in prison; and,

Shawn Weddle, 34, Windsor, Kentucky, 32 months in prison.

The prosecution of this case resulted from an investigation conducted by the DEA, the Waycross Police Department, the Russell Springs (KY) Police Department, the Jamestown (KY) Police Department, the Russell County (KY) Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshal’s Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Karl Knoche. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.