Ware County man sentenced to federal prison for methamphetamine distribution

BRUNSWICK, GA:  A Ware County man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in federal prison for trafficking methamphetamine.

Jarvis Godwin, 39, of Homerville, Ga., was sentenced to 188 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood also ordered Godwin to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Methamphetamine and other highly addictive illegal drugs deliver devastation to communities, no matter how rural or populous,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “The Ware County area will be much safer with this meth merchant behind bars.”

As described in court documents and testimony, investigators from the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration initiated an investigation of Godwin’s drug trafficking activity in 2020 and documented multiple instances of Godwin selling large quantities of methamphetamine. The investigation culminated in Godwin’s indictment and arrest in September 2022. Godwin pled guilty to one count of methamphetamine distribution in December of 2022 and was scheduled for sentencing in April of 2023.

Godwin’s sentencing was delayed after investigators recovered evidence of Godwin’s continued involvement in the illicit drug trade. While in custody pending sentencing, Godwin engaged other individuals, through the use of jail communication facilities, in a conspiracy to import distributable quantities of methamphetamine and marijuana. The investigation resulted in the successful recovery of the illegal drugs before they could be further distributed.

Godwin has a long history of criminal convictions for drug offenses.

“Driven by greed, the defendant’s trafficking of methamphetamine on multiple occasions was a significant threat to the quality of life,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.  “As a result, he will have to deal with the consequences with significant time behind bars.”

“The sentencing of Jarvis Godwin for methamphetamine distribution underscores our commitment to combating the devastating impact of illegal drugs on our communities. Godwin's repeated convictions for drug offenses demonstrate his disregard for the well-being of our communities, but this outcome will contribute to a safer Ware County area,” said Mike Register, Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. “We commend the collaborative efforts of the Ware County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and our own investigators for their dedication in bringing Godwin to justice.”

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Ware County Sheriff’s Office, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley R. Thompson and Marcela C. Mateo.