Drug Dealer Sentenced
MACON, Ga. - Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia announced that Bacari McCarthren, 37, of Orlando, Florida, was sentenced on July 31, 2013 by Senior U.S. District Judge Hugh Lawson in Valdosta, Georgia, to 240 months imprisonment, to be followed by (3) years supervised release, after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine.
In entering his plea of guilty, Mr. McCarthren admitted that on August 16, 2012, he fled across the state line from Florida into Georgia at speeds in excess of 125 mph, with his car at times crossing the median into oncoming traffic in an attempt to elude the police. At various points, the car driven by Mr. McCarthren nearly crashed into both civilian and police vehicles before ultimately being forcibly disabled by law enforcement. A subsequent search of Mr. McCarthren’s car revealed a plastic wrapped package concealed behind the dashboard containing 84.8 grams of cocaine, which was seized. The cocaine subsequently tested positively for the presence of cocaine by the Drug Enforcement Administration.
“Mr. McCarthren demonstrated a reckless disregard for public safety in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities and the Drug Enforcement Administration is grateful for our partnership with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in the removal Mr. McCarthren from our streets,” said Harry S. Sommers, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Atlanta Field Division.
“A drug dealer is bad enough, but a drug dealer who puts the public in harm’s way while running from the law, that’s inexcusable. Mr. McCarthren put drugs in our communities and danger on our streets, and I think it is fitting that his next ride on the public roadways won’t be for twenty years,” said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.
“The law abiding citizens of this community are safer because of yesterday’s sentence which will ensure the incarceration of Mr. McCarthren and contribute to the restoration of order and peace to this area,” said Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Special Agent in Charge Christopher Shaefer.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office in Jasper, Florida. Assistant United States Attorney Peter Leary handled the prosecution 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 and www.dea.gov.
