DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Southern District of Georgia

For Immediate Release

Thursday, March 15, 2018
Bobby L. Christine
, United States Attorney
Contact: AUSA Assigned

24 Defendants Charged By Federal and State Prosecutors for Drug Trafficking and Firearm Related Offenses

ATF, Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, McIntosh Sheriff’s Office Dismantle Major Drug Trafficking Organization

BRUNSWICK, GA – Federal indictments were unsealed yesterday revealing that sixteen (16) residents from Glynn County and McIntosh County, in the Southern District of Georgia, and elsewhere, have been charged with federal firearms and drug-trafficking offenses.  The Brunswick District Attorney’s Office has charged an additional eight defendants.

The federal and state charges are the result of joint federal and local efforts to dismantle a major cocaine trafficking organization that was operating in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere.  After law enforcement received information about a drug dealer who was selling large quantities of cocaine in Glynn County, the McIntosh Sheriff’s Office teamed up with the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Investigators from local and federal law enforcement worked together to identify the members of the drug trafficking organization (DTO), their methods of operation, and where they stored and sold drugs.  The team used a number of investigative techniques, including the use of informants, conducting surveillance, making undercover purchases of cocaine and crack cocaine, and the execution of search warrants.

Through search warrants and consensual searches conducted during this investigation, agents seized kilograms of cocaine, with a street value in excess of $150,000, over 30 pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, over $60,000 cash, and dozens of firearms, including assault style rifles and substantial amounts of ammunition. 

On March 13, 2018, a team of federal and local law enforcement investigators simultaneously executed over twenty (20) arrest warrants in the Southern District of Georgia and the Middle District of Florida.  During the arrests, investigators seized an additional 21 firearms.

The following defendants have been charged in the thirty-six (36) page, thirty-six (36) count federal indictment:

 

JOHN EUGENE OVERCASH, a/k/a “Cowboy,” 52, Brunswick, GA,

KENNETH LEON BRADLEY, 50, Brunswick, GA,

JEREMY MCINTYRE, 37, Brunswick, GA,

RICHARD CARTER, 57, Brunswick, GA,

DARRIUS MERRELL, 38, Brunswick, GA,

ANDREW JACKSON, a/k/a “Drew,” 34, Orlando, FL,

KENEIL KING, 25, Brunswick, GA,

JESSICA TABUTEAU, 31, Orlando, FL,

TROY CROSBY, 49, Hortense, GA,

AMY MANSON, 37, Hortense, GA,

EDRIN TEMPLE, a/k/a “Pete McCiver,” 39, Darien, GA,

ANTHONY BERNARD LEWIS, a/k/a “Amp,” 46, Brunswick, GA,

     JOSEPH SIMMONS, a/k/a “Bug,” 48, Brunswick, GA,

TOMMY MURRAY, 50, Brunswick, GA,

CLIFTON FOSTER, 64, Brunswick, GA,

MARCUS MUNGIN, 33, Brunswick, GA

The federal charges and maximum penalties include:

-Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 846, which carries a potential sentence of not less than 10 years of incarceration, up to life.  If a defendant has a prior felony drug conviction, then the charge carries not less than 20 years of incarceration up to life.  If a person has two or more prior felony drug convictions, then not less than life.

-The Distribution of Cocaine and Crack Cocaine, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), which carries up to 20 years of incarceration.  If a defendant has a prior felony drug conviction, then it carries not more than 30 years of incarceration.

-Felon in Possession of Firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which carries a potential sentence of 10 years incarceration.  However, if a defendant has 3 prior convictions for violent crimes or serious drug offenses, then he/she faces not less than 15 years of incarceration up to life;

-Drug User in Possession of Firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which carries a potential sentence of 10 years of incarceration;

-Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of Drug Trafficking Crimes, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which carries not less than 5 years of incarceration up to life;

-Use of a Communication Facility to Facilitate Drug Crime, 21 U.S.C. § 843(b), which carries not more than 4 years of incarceration.

The indictment also seeks to forfeit tools used in the crimes and proceeds from the crimes, including a residence located at 1199 West Shore Drive, Brunswick, Georgia.

The following individual was charged under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act with Conspiracy to Purchase Marijuana and Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony Involving Controlled Substances:

Kenneth Bradley, Jr. (age 21) of Brunswick.

The following were charged under the Georgia Controlled Substances Act with Conspiracy to Purchase a Controlled Substance and Use of Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony Involving Controlled Substances:

Dana Smith (age 40) of Brunswick;

Clyde Underwood (age 58) of Brunswick;

Sarah Myrick (age 35) of Brunswick;

Eric Lashawn Hall (age 45) of Brunswick;

Antonio Givens (age 46) of Brunswick;

Doug Coffey (age 45) of Brunswick; and,

Travis Collins (age 39) of Brunswick.

United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine said, “The federal government is committed to working with local law enforcement agencies to dismantle the drug trafficking organizations who are ruining our communities and endangering our citizens.  Let this indictment serve as another warning that we will hunt you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

ATF Resident Agent in Charge Timothy Graden states:  “These arrests are the product of concerted collaborative efforts on the part of ATF, the Glynn County Sheriff’s office, the McIntosh County Sheriff’s office and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to target, investigate, and prosecute the perpetrators of a major drug trafficking organization. Many of the defendants are convicted felons with extensive criminal histories that date back more than 20 years. ATF and its law enforcement partners acted judiciously on information developed during this 1 ½ year investigation resulting in the seizure of large quantities of cocaine, marijuana, U.S. currency, firearms and ammunition. ATF is pleased with the success of this operation, but unfortunately this operation also highlights the persistence of narcotics traffickers and demonstrates that this type of crime must be continuously battled. ATF will continue to dedicate federal resources in partnership with other law enforcement agencies in the pursuit of reducing violent crime and armed drug trafficking.”

McIntosh County Sheriff Stephen D. Jessup states:  “I could not be more pleased with the results.  Even though the majority of those involved in the drug trafficking organization lived and operated in Glynn County, the amount of cocaine flowing into McIntosh County through this organization had a staggering effect on our community.  The work done here is exemplary of the type of partnerships and teamwork that I hope continues between these agencies.”

Glynn County Sheriff E. Neal Jump states:  “This has proven to be a very successful operation and I believe it will have a significant impact on the illegal drug trade here in Glynn County.  This case has led to one of the largest seizes of cocaine and marijuana in this area in quite some time.  I, along with the men and women of my office, look forward to partnering with these agencies as well as others to continue working towards a safer community for our citizens.”

Jackie Johnson, District Attorney for the Brunswick Judicial Circuit, stated “Narcotics abuse and distribution is the driving force behind violent crime, theft and many other social ills in Glynn County.  Our office is grateful for the work of our Sheriff, Federal law enforcement, and the U.S. Attorney in targeting this problem.”

United States Attorney Christine emphasized that an indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the Government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The operation was investigated by ATF, the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and the McIntosh Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service.  Assistant United States Attorneys Matthew Josephson and Greg Gilluly are prosecuting these cases for the United States.  Assistant District Attorney Liberty Stewart is prosecuting these cases for the state of Georgia. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 652-4422.

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Atlanta Field Division