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By Jeff Moore

Contributing writer

 

A Cordele woman and a Warwick man have entered guilty pleas to federal charges connected to an 2022 armed drug trafficking investigation that involved local, state and federal authorities.

Shana Rae Black, 34, of Cordele, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Aug. 15, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Additionally on Sept. 17, Justin Harris Vinson, 42, of Warwick, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine

According to a news release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, both Black and Vinson face a mandatory minimum of 10 years up to a maximum of life imprisonment to be followed by at least five years of supervised release and a $10 million fine. Officials noted there is no parole in the federal system.

Sentencing will be handled by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner, who is presiding over the cases. The sentencing dates will be determined by the court.

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, a confidential informant working with the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office contacted Black through Facebook to obtain methamphetamine Oct. 27, 2022, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Black sold the CI about 111 grams of methamphetamine at a Perry motel. The informant reported there was a pistol on a nightstand in the motel room, next to a bulk quantity of methamphetamine.

Then on Oct. 31, 2022, an undercover Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent contacted Black to purchase methamphetamine and met her at the Walmart in Cordele. Under audio and video surveillance, the GBI agent purchased methamphetamine from Black.

A few days later on Nov. 2, 2022, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and GBI agents met with another CI to purchase methamphetamine from Vinson.

Under surveillance, the U.S. Attorney’s release stated that Vinson met the CI at his Warwick residence and traveled with Vinson to the Sunrise Inn in Cordele to meet with Black. During the transaction, Black provided 284.4 grams of methamphetamine and collected the majority of the cash payment for the drugs, with Vinson keeping $300 as a brokering fee. Vinson was seen with a firearm during the transaction.

On Nov. 7, the Crisp County Sheriff’s officers and GBI arrested Black in Crisp County as she traveled in a vehicle back from McDonough.

A search of the vehicle revealed Black was in possession of 982.7 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine, 15.89 grams of 91% pure methamphetamine, a digital scale and several cell phones, according to the U.S. Attorney.

GBI executed a search warrant on the Baymont Inn motel room in Cordele where Black was staying and found a 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a small bag of suspected methamphetamine, four digital scales and bulk quantities of plastic baggies. Black’s cell phones showed extensive communications between her and known drug dealers, according to the release.

On Jan. 22, 2023, Vinson purchased 15 ounces of methamphetamine in Cordele and sold 277 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine to a CI used by GBI in Warwick. During the transaction, the informant observed Vinson place a firearm in the center console of his vehicle.

A search warrant was executed at Vinson’s residence Jan. 26, 2023, the U.S. Attorney’s Office stated.

Law enforcement located a semiautomatic pistol in his bedroom, along with five other firearms inside of an open safe. Vinson told officers he had been selling methamphetamine in the South Georgia and North Florida area his entire life and that during the peak of COVID-19 in 2020, he would sell about three kilograms of methamphetamine per week for six months.

Vinson has a prior felony conviction in Lee County Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Black also has a prior felony conviction in Jones County Superior Court for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Crisp County Sheriff Billy Hancock praised the cooperative effort between his office, GBI, FBI and DEA on this case.

“I am incredibly proud of our agency’s relentless efforts and the strong collaboration with our local and federal partners,” Hancock said. “Methamphetamine trafficking brings dangerous consequences to our community, often resulting in tragedy and loss of life. This case highlights our dedication to safeguarding the community and demonstrates the powerful results we achieve through collaboration.”

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said repeat convicted felons who illegally arm themselves and distribute the most highly addictive and dangerous drugs into our communities will face federal consequences for these crimes.

“Our office is working closely with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to identity those individuals creating the most havoc in the Middle District of Georgia and hold them accountable for their crimes,” Leary said.

GBI Director Chris Hosey said his agency is committed to holding those who traffic methamphetamine accountable

“Collaborating closely with state, local and federal law enforcement agencies, we will work to ensure justice and dismantle these dangerous networks,” Hosey noted.

Robert J. Murphy, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, noted that drug traffickers drive addiction and destroy communities

“DEA will use any resource necessary to remove these career criminals from our streets,” Murphy said.

Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Richard Bilson of FBI Atlanta’s Albany office added that methamphetamine is a highly addictive drug with devastating consequences to users, their families and communities.

“This prosecution closes a pipeline for dangerous drugs flowing into the streets of Southwest Georgia,” he noted.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid is in charge of prosecuting the case for the government.