United States Drug Enforcement Administration

COLUMBUS, Ga. – A Columbus resident with prior state convictions including aggravated assault and illegally possessing a firearm was sentenced to serve more than 14 years in a federal prison this week resulting from an investigation that began in 2019. 

Quntay Thomas, 40, was sentenced to serve 175 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Clay Land on Dec. 17. Thomas previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Aug. 20. There is no parole in the federal system. 

“Quntay Thomas is a dangerous career criminal,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This sentence is commensurate with the destructive impact on the community caused by Thomas’ distribution of dangerous drugs while in possession of a firearm.” 

“Repeat armed offenders will be held accountable for crimes which perpetuate violence in the Columbus community,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office is working with local, state and federal law enforcement to bring lawless individuals to justice, no matter how long it takes.” 

"We must keep up the good fight in removing drug activity and volent offenders from our community. We will continue to work together without let up for safe streets and a safer Muscogee County,” said Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman. 

“We are extremely pleased to see another drug dealer in our area identified, arrested, prosecuted and sentenced. This is a prime example of multi agencies working together to accomplish the mission,” said Harris County Sheriff Mike Jolley. 

According to the court documents and statements referenced in court, DEA agents conducted a controlled buy of 55.64 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine from Thomas on May 17, 2019, at a gas station in Columbus. Another controlled buy occurred on Sept. 6, 2019, when DEA agents purchased 51.81 grams of pure methamphetamine. Subsequently, Thomas had federal warrants issued for his arrest. Agents eventually learned of his location and executed a search warrant on Double Churches Rd. on Nov. 29, 2023. Thomas was arrested and agents found a loaded Glock .45 caliber pistol and three bags of methamphetamine in the residence where he was taken into custody. The GBI drug lab confirmed the three bags contained a total of 418.93 grams of a mixture containing methamphetamine, and Thomas admitted to distributing methamphetamine. Thomas has past criminal convictions in the Muscogee County, Georgia, Superior Court, including aggravated assault, illegally possessing a firearm and drug distribution. 

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Muscogee County Sheriff’s Office and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). 

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Williams and Crawford Seals prosecuted the case for the Government. The DEA encourages parents, along with their children, to educate themselves about the dangers of legal and illegal drugs by visiting DEA’s interactive websites at www.JustThinkTwice.com, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov . Also follow DEA Atlanta via Twitter at @DEAATLANTADiv 

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