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18 southwest Georgians have been arrested during a nine-month drug trafficking investigation

ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) – Multiple South Georgia law enforcement agencies and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) have arrested 18 people in connection with a multi-county drug trafficking investigation.

The nine-month investigation ended with the seizure of approximately 778 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 9,000 grams of suspected marijuana.

On Tuesday, September 24, ten arrest warrants were issued across South Georgia for various suspects. Those arrested include:

  • Austin Ray Johns, 43, of Colquitt, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
  • Brandy Leigh Temples, 45, of Donalsonville, was charged with use of a communications facility in the commission of a controlled substance felony, trafficking in methamphetamine and three counts of conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
  • Brittany Shanay Richardson, 33, of Camilla, was charged with conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and use of a communications facility in the commission of a methamphetamine-related crime.
  • Craig Willingham, 34, of Pelham, was charged with use of a communications facility in the commission of a methamphetamine-related crime and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
  • James David Gowan, 41, of Colquitt, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
  • Michael Dupree, 43, of Donalsonville, was charged with use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance felony.
  • Phillip Charles Scott, 39, of Donalsonville, was charged with use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance felony.
  • Savannah Morgan Nelson, 25, of Donalsonville, was charged with use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance felony.
  • Stephen Wayne Gould, 52, of Brinson, Georgia, was charged with use of a communications facility in the commission of a controlled substance felony.
  • Matthew Barrentine, of Pelham, was charged with use of a communications facility in the commission of a methamphetamine-related crime.

Eight other suspects had previously been arrested as part of the investigation.

  • Corena Austin, 29, of Albany, was charged with possession of a Schedule III, IV or V controlled substance with intent to distribute, use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance offense, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and marijuana, and others illegal drugs.
  • Marquez Antron Marcus, 37, of Baconton, was charged with trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic in methamphetamine.
  • Mary Elizabeth Phillips, 40, of Donalsonville, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
  • Roderick Brandon Haire, 38, of Donalsonville, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and two counts of trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
  • Jeffery Brian Richardson, 40, of Pelham, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, six counts of trafficking methamphetamine, conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine and use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance offense.
  • Marquez Antron Marcus, 37, of Baconton, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance crime, tampering with evidence and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
  • Timothy Dewayne Littlefield, 45, of Donalsonville, was charged with five counts of trafficking methamphetamine and conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine.
  • Kervin Bernard Harrison, 35, of Thomasville, was charged with use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance crime and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.

Three other suspects remain wanted on the following charges:

  • Kervin Bernard Harrison, 35, of Thomasville, was charged with use of a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance crime, trafficking in marijuana and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
  • Jody Benton, 49, of Ochlocknee, was charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
  • David Lee Bentley, 47, of Pelham, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine and using a communication facility in the commission of a controlled substance offense.

If anyone has information about this investigation, you are asked to call the Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office at (229)-420-1254 or your local law enforcement agency. Anonymous tips can also be left by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477).

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