All four defendants in an Augusta methamphetamine-trafficking ring await sentencing now that the conspiracy’s lead defendant has admitted guilt, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney David H. Estes.
Magnum Jelani Neely, 38, of Millen, who is an inmate at Dooly State Prison, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Neely faces a sentence of 10 years to life in prison along with substantial financial penalties. He also faces a minimum of five years of supervised release after completing whatever prison sentence he receives. There is no parole in the federal system.
“With substantial assistance from co-conspirators, Neely was able to direct a high volume of meth distribution even as he served a 10-year state sentence for violent crime,” Estes said in the news release. “This investigation shut down his operation, and federal sentences will ensure these traffickers are held accountable for their crimes.”
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As described in court documents and testimony, agents from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration in November 2021 joined investigators from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in identifying Neely as coordinating a methamphetamine trafficking operation from inside prison. Neely used contraband cell phones to contact couriers outside prison to deliver drugs to buyers. The Georgia Department of Corrections assisted in the investigation, and Neely and three co-conspirators were indicted in April 2022.
The three Augusta co-conspirators include:
• Patricia Gregory, 45, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine;
• Fanesia Smith, 39, awaits sentencing after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and to distribute, 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; and,
• Yvonne Smith, 57, mother of Fanesia Smith, faces a statutory sentence of up to three years in prison after pleading guilty to misprision of a felony for knowing of, and helping to conceal, the criminal activity of the conspiracy.
Each of the defendants will be sentenced by U.S. District Court Chief Judge J. Randal Hall after completion of a pre-sentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
“The ringleader of a once-thriving methamphetamine ring profited by spreading this insidious poison throughout Richmond County and elsewhere, all while serving a prison sentence,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
