Southwest Georgia Men Sentenced in Gang-Related Drug Trafficking Case
ALBANY, Ga. — Two members of the Gangster Disciples street gang who are career offenders were sentenced to prison resulting from a GBI-led investigation into armed drug trafficking.
Jason Patterson, 44, of Americus, and Quintavious Miller, 28, of Ellaville, were sentenced as career offenders by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Dec. 12. Patterson was sentenced to 96 months in prison and Miller was sentenced to 60 months in prison, both terms of imprisonment to be followed by three years of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine on Aug. 2. The defendants are not eligible for parole.
“Gang-related armed drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Americus, Ellaville or any place in the Middle District of Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Cases like this one illustrate the strong collaboration between law enforcement to bring those causing the most criminal disruption to justice and work ceaselessly for safer communities for all.”
“Drug and gang-related crimes cause severe damage to Georgia communities. This case exemplifies the hard work of the GBI’s Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office and our local and federal law enforcement partners,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey.
“The successful result of this investigation should let career gang members know that DEA will use all of its resources to destroy their violent drug distribution networks,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division.
“ATF and our partners are committed to pursuing and prosecuting the most troublesome criminal offenders to protect the communities we serve,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka.
“This case is a great example of what can be accomplished when local, state and federal agencies work together to address crime in our community,” said Americus Police Department Chief Mark Scott.
According to court documents, during an investigation into gang-related drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the Americus region, GBI investigators, working alongside DEA, purchased quantities of cocaine powder and crack cocaine from the defendants using a confidential informant and an undercover agent beginning in May 2021 through August 2021. Both defendants are members of the Gangster Disciples. On Aug. 11, 2021, GBI executed search warrants at four locations belonging to the defendants in Americus (Sumter County) and Ellaville (Schley County). At Patterson’s residence at 210 Tom Hall Circle in Americus, agents found more than $30,000 cash on Patterson and under his bed; a firearm reported stolen from Lee County; marijuana; a digital scale and packaging materials commonly used to illegally distribute drugs; and multiple cell phones that both Patterson and Miller used to communicate. At Miller’s apartment and trailer located in Ellaville, agents found quantities of cocaine base; marijuana; cash; and a Gangster Disciple flyer. Patterson has multiple prior felony convictions in Sumter County, Georgia, Superior Court and Miller has at least two prior felony convictions in Schley County, Georgia, Superior Court.
The case was investigated by GBI, DEA, ATF, the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and Americus Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case for the Government.
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