21 Defendants Charged In Brunswick-Based Drug Trafficking Conspiracy
BRUNSWICK, GA. - A federal indictment, unsealed yesterday in federal court, has charged 21 defendants with conspiracy to distribute large amounts of cocaine and marijuana in Georgia and Florida. Several of the defendants have also been charged with weapons charges.
The charge results from a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement (DEA), the Glynn Brunswick Narcotics Enforcement Team, the Georgia Bureau of (GBI), the Federal Bureau of (FBI), the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and the United States Marshals Service.
Rodney G. Benson, Special Agent in (SAC) of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented, “All participating agencies played a crucial role in the eradication of this alleged criminal network. These drug trafficking activities posed a significant threat to the quality of life in the Brunswick community and elsewhere. I want to thank our federal, state and local law enforcement counterparts who had a direct impact in making this investigation a success.”
United States Attorney Edward Tarver said, “Successful investigations such as these are the result of great cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies. We are committed to sending to those who profit from the scourge of illegal narcotics trafficking to prison, and to seizing and forfeiting their ill gotten gains.”
If convicted of the drug trafficking conspiracy charge, each defendant faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years to life in prison and a potential fine of $4,000,000. Tarver noted that the United States is also seeking to forfeit various items of personal property involved in the offenses, including $1.5 million as the alleged proceeds of the defendants’ drug trafficking.
The 21 defendants indicted on federal charges include:
Brian Keith Glover, 36, Brunswick, Georgia,
Andrey Lamar James, 28, Jacksonville, Florida,
Bassil James Rhoden, 29, Jamaica,
Alberto R. Andujar, 34, Jacksonville, Florida,
Dan Wendell Mangram, 37, Brunswick, Georgia,
Oscar Ramon Woods, 34, Brunswick, Georgia,
Joel Christopher Jordan, 41, Jacksonville, Florida,
Ian Kyle Baker, Brunswick, 38, Georgia,
Benjamin Dunham, Jr., 43, Darien, Georgia,
Damian Julian, 39, Jacksonville, Florida,
George Edward Brennon, 46, Brunswick, Georgia,
William Cortez Smith, 29, Kingsland, Georgia,
Dwight Allen Wilson, 54, Tallahassee, Florida,
Reginald Leon Stevens, 34, Brunswick, Georgia,
Jermaine Donte Hardee, 27, Brunswick, Georgia,
Roderick D. Thomas, 22, Brunswick, Georgia,
Xontavious Deotne Hawkins, 24, Brunswick, Georgia,
Nikita Jamala Jones, 25, Brunswick, Georgia,
Shanice Lashay Jackson, 22, Jacksonville, Florida,
Rashuana Denay Battle, 23, Jacksonville, Florida, and
Jamie Latoya Scott, 23, Jacksonville, Florida.
Mr. Tarver emphasized that the 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.
Assistant United States Attorney Karl Knoche is prosecuting the case for the Government. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham (912) 201-2547.
DEA Atlanta Field Division SAC Benson 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 and www.dea.gov.
