23 Defendants Charged in Federal Indictments for Drone-Smuggling Drug Operation in Georgia

Photo bySouthern District of GA

According to officials with the Southern District of Georgia, two recently unsealed federal indictments have charged 23 defendants in a series of broad conspiracies involving the use of drones to smuggle methamphetamine, marijuana, and cell phones into state prisons in Georgia.

The indictments, USA v. Hall, et al., and USA v. Harris, et al., were revealed in U.S. District Court, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Officials stated that each indictment primarily accuses the defendants of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute marijuana and methamphetamine. The charges carry a potential sentence of 10 years to life in prison, financial penalties, and a minimum of five years of supervised release following incarceration.

The investigation, led by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) with participation from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Department of Corrections’ Criminal Investigations and Intelligence divisions, also involved various local agencies.

According to officials, Operation Night Drop uncovered two networks of prison inmates and external conspirators using drones and other means to transport large quantities of drugs, cell phones, and other contraband to Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga., Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga., and several other Georgia state prisons. The conspiracies allegedly began as early as 2019 and continued through July 2024.

In addition to the conspiracy charges, several defendants face accusations of Unlawful Use of a Communication Facility. The indictment details the use of cell phones to coordinate drug sales, manage activities of conspirators outside the prisons, and arrange drone deliveries of contraband. Evidence includes text messages and Facebook Messenger exchanges with aerial photos of prisons, drug quantities, prices, and images of drones, drugs, cell phones, and packaging materials.

The indictments also seek the forfeiture of 10 drones and 21 firearms seized during the investigation.

The 15 defendants charged in USA v. Hall, et al., are:

- Alan Hall, a/k/a “Strong” or “Krook,” 44, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.

- Deivon Waller, a/k/a “Hitman” or “VP,” 33, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.

- Travious Bateman, a/k/a “Nut,” 39, of Covington, Ga., who was in Georgia Department of Corrections custody until March 7, 2022.

- Asa Ward, a/k/a “Foolay,” 28, currently incarcerated at the Georgia Diagnostic and Classification Prison in Jackson, Ga.

- Devonn Collins, a/k/a “Vonn,” 28, of Locust Grove, Ga., who was in custody from Feb. 12, 2019, to April 14, 2020.

- Torlandus Fuller, a/k/a “Mustafa$upa,” 33, of Lithonia, Ga., who was in custody until Oct. 1, 2021.

- Martin Holmes, a/k/a “The Mayor,” 33, currently incarcerated at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.

- Raymond Razo, a/k/a “Flako,” 36, currently incarcerated at Telfair State Prison in McRae-Helena, Ga.

- Anisha Usher, 38, of Covington, Ga.

- Marquez Chandler, 25, of Conyers, Ga., who was in custody from Nov. 9, 2021, to June 2, 2023.

- Chad Henry, 26, of Conyers, Ga.

- Katrina Hampton, 28, of Killeen, Texas.

- Jamar Hill, 37, of Tucker, Ga., who was in custody until Jan. 6, 2022.

- Raane Onessimo, 29, of Powder Springs, Ga.

- Donald Pate, 51, of Valdosta, Ga., who was in custody from Jan. 3, 2019, to Jan. 6, 2021.

Seven of the eight defendants named in USA v. Harris, et al., face conspiracy charges:

- Robert Harris, a/k/a “Messiah” or “Dean,” 32, currently incarcerated at Macon State Prison in Oglethorpe, Ga.

- Kelvin Rogers, a/k/a “Gangsta,” 38, currently incarcerated at Smith State Prison in Glennville, Ga.

- Quinton Samples, a/k/a “JR,” 29, of Atlanta, who was in custody until March 10, 2022.

- Thomas Cothran, a/k/a “Shoota” or “Tee,” 37, currently incarcerated at Ware State Prison in Waycross, Ga.

- Quintaveous Samples, a/k/a “Peewee,” 26, of Jonesboro, Ga.

- Quinesha Oliver, 27, of Jonesboro, Ga.

- Tristahn Ash, a/k/a “Mohawk,” 27, currently incarcerated at the Metro Reentry Facility in Atlanta. Ash had been in custody before the indictment, was released on Aug. 5, 2020, and reentered custody on May 11, 2023.

David Williams, 35, of Atlanta, is also charged with Ash for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm related to drug trafficking.

Among the 23 defendants, six were never in Department of Corrections custody during the conspiracies but are alleged to have maintained contact with incarcerated co-defendants to further the conspiracy.

Criminal indictments are charges only; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, the release said.

Operation Night Drop, investigated by OCDETF, targets high-level criminal organizations through a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Department of Corrections Criminal Investigations and Intelligence Divisions, and various local law enforcement agencies.

Attributions: Southern District of Georgia