6 sentenced to prison for meth trafficking

AUGUSTA (WJBF) – Six Augusta-area defendants have been sentenced to substantial federal prison terms after pleading guilty to participation in a methamphetamine trafficking operation.

James Andrew McPherson , 30, of Hephzibah, Ga., the lead defendant, was sentenced to 188 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine. He is also required to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

As described in court documents and proceedings, investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration worked with local law enforcement agencies to identify McPherson as the leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that transported large quantities of high-purity methamphetamine for distribution in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke counties.

McPherson transported the methamphetamine from an Atlanta supplier, or used couriers – including his mother – to bring in the drugs, which he then broke down into smaller quantities for the others to sell.

Other defendants sentenced in the case are:

• Brandon Wayne Johnson , 43, of Hephzibah, Ga., sentenced to 87 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Marcus Smith , a/k/a “Smoke,” 32, of Augusta, sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine.
• Leslie Helinski , 54, of Augusta, the mother of James McPherson, sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Tony Watson , 49, of Conover, N.C., sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Charity Porter , 25, of Augusta, sentenced to 37 months in prison after pleading guilty to Distribution of Methamphetamine.

There is no parole in the federal system.

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