10 people sentenced in drug trafficking ring in Meriwether County
Ten people were sentenced to federal prison this week in what Meriwether County authorities called a drug trafficking organization that spanned across Georgia and into the state of Florida.
The sentences were handed down in the U.S. Federal Court of the Northern District of Georgia where all pleaded guilty to charges that netted more than 100 years in prison for the drug trafficking organization.
“This was a long investigation that spanned many different jurisdictions and agencies that crossed state lines,” Sheriff Chuck Smith said Thursday. “I am appreciative of the hard work and collaboration between all agencies involved to shut the drug trafficking organization down. Our personnel played a major role in bringing this DTO network down and our guys stayed with this all the way through to the sentences being handed down.”
The guilty pleas stem from an investigation by local, state and federal agencies into a major drug distribution network starting in June 2013. The investigation led to arrests on July 1, 2014 when 45 officers and K-9 units converged on two homes on Kodiak Lane and another on Keepsake Lane in Greenville.
Taking part in the operation were Meriwether County Sheriff’s Office, its Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration along with Harris County Sheriff’s Office and Troup County Sheriff’s Office.
Arrests included two brothers, Christopher Brent Jackson and Harlan O. Jackson, on Kodiak Lane, other suspects and the seizure of 13 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $420,000. Agents also seized 17 motor vehicles, motorcycles, four-wheelers, cash and two houses.
Smith said the drug distribution network was operating in and around Meriwether County, parts of Georgia and into the state of Florida. It spanned from metro Atlanta into the Panama City area and in the state of Florida. The investigation determined that the brothers and Tiffany Jackson, wife of Christopher Jackson, had been distributing large quantities of methamphetamine.
Smith said the brothers had connections with a Mexican Drug Cartel, Elmer Ochoa of Atlanta, and Jose Manuel Lopez of Lake City, Fla. Drugs were obtained in Atlanta and distributed to local dealers.
Ben Wright: 706-571-8576, @bfwright87
Drug Ring Sentences
The following offenders were sentenced in the Northern District of the United States Federal Court:
Harlan Orlando Jackson AKA “OJ” - Greenville, /25 years to serve; 10 years supervised probation on conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possession of 500 grams or more of meth and maintaining an establishment for distribution of drugs.
Christopher Brent Jackson AKA “CJ” - Greenville/10.4 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation, maintaining an establishment for distribution of drugs and
conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute.
Tiffany Jackson - Greenville / 2.7 years to serve; 3 years supervised probation, maintaining an establishment for distribution of drugs and conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute.
Brenda Davis - Panama City Fla. / 7.8 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation and drug treatment program, conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute.
Andrea McNally – Panama City/ 2.1 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation and drug treatment program, conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute.
Leon Buchannan AKA “June Bug” – Grantville / 5 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation, drug treatment program and conspiracy to possess meth with intent to distribute.
Jose Manuel Lopez – Lake City/ 12 years to serve, 5 years supervised probation and ordered to Immigrations and Customs for deportation, conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute.
Elmer V. Ochoa – Atlanta/ 13.5 years to serve, 5 years supervised probation and ordered to Immigrations and Customs for deportation, conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute and possession of firearm.
Angela Nash – Newnan / 8.1 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation and drug treatment, conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute and possession of firearm.
Jeremy Hayes – Panama City / 6.5 years to serve; 5 years supervised probation, conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute.
Jonnie Jeter – Panama City: To be sentenced June 23, 2016 on conspiracy to possess 500 grams or more of meth with intent to distribute.
This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 8:27 PM with the headline "10 people sentenced in drug trafficking ring in Meriwether County."