MACON— A federal grand jury has returned indictments during the month of November. Charles E. Peeler, the United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced Wednesday, November 21, 2018 that the grand jury true billed indictments charging 23 new individuals. An indictment is only an allegation of criminal conduct. All of the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.

“The successful collaboration between law enforcement at every level helped bring these cases before a federal grand jury,” said U.S. Attorney Peeler. “I want to thank our local, state and federal law enforcement for their dedication and hard work.” 

Indictment #1

MILTON WRENN, age 58 of Hartsfield, Georgia is charged with the following:

1) Possession of Child Pornography

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Wrenn faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.

The case was investigated by the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Postal Office of the Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Julia C. Bowen.

Indictment #2

DERINIQUE MORROW, age 20 of Albany, Georgia is charged with the following:

1) Interstate Communications with Intent to Extort

2) Interstate Stalking

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Morrow faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Morrow faces a maximum sentence of five (5) years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or both.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Warminster, Pennsylvania Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Dasher.

Indictment #3 

GEORGE RANDOLPH JEFFERY, age 58 of Monroe, Georgia is charged with the following:

1) Attempted Online Enticement of a Minor

2) Possession of Child Pornography

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Jeffery faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, with a 10 year mandatory minimum term, a $250,000 fine and a maximum Supervised Release of life. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Jeffery faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a maximum Supervised Release of Life.

The case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lyndie Freeman.

Indictment #4 

ORIEST STANLEY, JR., age 50 of Macon, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Failure to Register as a Sex Offender

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Stanley faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and a maximum Supervised Release of three (3) years. 

The case was investigated by the United States Marshall Service and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Beth Howard.

Indictment #5

MAURICE HANCOCK, a/k/a “FREAKY”, a/k/a “NBA PHIL”, age 44 of Statham, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1-19) Distribution of a Controlled Substance

If convicted on Counts 1, 4, 5 and 6, Mr. Hancock faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine per count. If convicted on Counts 2, 3, 7 and 8, Mr. Hancock faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine, or both per count. If convicted on Counts 9 – 19, Mr. Hancock faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine, or both, per count.  

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett.

Indictment #6

HEATHER NICOLE GRAY, age 31 of Norman Park, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1-15) Bank Fraud

16-82) Counts of Wire Fraud

83) Count of Aggravated Identity Theft

If convicted on Counts 1-15, Ms. Gray faces a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, per count. If convicted on Counts 16-82, Ms. Gray faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both, per count. If convicted on Count 83, Ms. Gray faces a mandatory two (2) years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. 

The case was investigated by the United States Secret Service and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers.

Indictment #7 

FRANK DOUGLAS, age 59 of North Augusta, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1-2) Assault on a Federal Employee

If convicted on Counts 1-2, Mr. Douglas faces a maximum sentence of eight (8) years, a $250,000 fine or both, per count.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen.

Indictment #8

MIGUEL AYALA, age 26 of Marietta, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Ayala faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both.

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Peach County Sheriff’s Office and the Byron Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts.

EDUARDO ONOFRE, age 24 of Powder Springs, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine 

If convicted Count 1, Mr. Onofre faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both.

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Peach County Sheriff’s Office, and Byron Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts.

Indictment #9

JUSTIN HUNT a/k/a “BIG BOY”, age 33 of Macon, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1-2) Distribution of Methamphetamine

If convicted on Counts 1-2, Mr. Hunt faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both, per count. 

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts. 

VICTOR HENDERSON a/k/a “BLACK BOY”, age 39, of Macon, Georgia, is charged with the following:

3) Distribution of Methamphetamine

If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Henderson faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, a $5 million fine or both.

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Ouzts.

Indictment #10

YESIKA DEL CARMEN VIVENES LINARES a/k/a ANA CARARINA GONCALVES ALVES, age 36 of Venezuela, is charged with the following:

1) Forgery and False Use of a Passport

If convicted on Count 1, Ms. Vivenes Linares faces a maximum sentence of ten (10) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine or both. 

The case was investigated by the Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service and the Valdosta Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers.

Indictment #11 

MARTIN SOSA-TORRES, age 24 of Mexico is charged with the following:

1) Illegal Reentry into the United States

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Torres faces a maximum sentence of two (2) years in prison, a $250,000.00 fine, or both, on each count.  

The case was investigated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.

In addition to the above indictments, the following individuals were indicted for firearms offenses. All of these cases were brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. PSN was launched in 2001 by the Office of the Attorney General.

Indictment #12

CECIL WAMPLER, age 33, of Bristol, Tennessee, is charged with the following:

1) Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

3) Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime

4) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Wampler faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Wampler faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Wampler faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. If convicted on Count 4, Mr. Wampler faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. 

The case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and the collaboration of District Attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit Ken Mauldin. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett.  

AMY LAURA LEONARD, age 49 of Johnson City, Tennessee, is charged with the following:

1) Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

3) Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime

If convicted on Count 1, Ms. Leonard faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both. If convicted on Count 2, Ms. Leonard faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine. If convicted on Count 3, Ms. Leonard faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000.00 fine or both.  

The case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and the collaboration of Ken Mauldin, District Attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett. 

WILLIAM MATHEW HOWARD, aged 44, of Crawford, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance

2) Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

3) Possession of a Firearm During a Drug Trafficking Crime

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Howard faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $10 million fine or both. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Howard faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, a $1 million fine or both. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Howard faces a maximum sentence of life in prison, a $250,000.00 or both.

The case was investigated by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office, Athens-Clarke County Police Department, and the collaboration of District Attorney for the Western Judicial Circuit Ken Mauldin. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tamara Jarrett. 

Indictment #13 

JAMES EARL BRIDGES, age 41, of Albany, Georgia is charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

2) Possession of a Firearm by a Controlled Substance User 

3) Possession of Methamphetamine

If convicted on Counts 1-2, Mr. Bridges faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000 or both, and a maximum Supervised Release of three (3) years, per count. If convicted on Count 3, Mr. Bridges faces one (1) year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Albany-Dougherty Drug Unit. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Dasher.

Indictment #14 

JOSEPH FREDRICK KEGLER, age 45 of Columbus, Georgia is charged with the following:                                                                                                        

1) Felon in Possession of a Firearm

2) Simple Possession of a Controlled Substance

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Kegler faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both and a maximum three (3) years of Supervised Release. If convicted on Count 2, Mr. Kegler faces a maximum sentence of three (3) years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both and a maximum one (1) year of Supervised Release.

The case was investigated by the Columbus Police Department and ATF. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amelia G. Helmick.

Indictment #15

PAUL A. BRADFORD, age 47 of Lakeland, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Bradford faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.  

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lanier and Berrien County Sheriff’s Offices. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert D. McCullers. 

Indictment #16

BRANDON RASHAD DOWDELL, age 24, of Valdosta, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Dowdell faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both. 

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Valdosta Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit.

Indictment #17

ANTHONY LEVETTE GRUBBS, age 31 of Jacksonville, Florida, is charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Grubbs faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

The case was investigated by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit.

Indictment #18

WILLIAM HENRY PHILLIPS, JR., age 43, of Valdosta, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Phillips faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Valdosta Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Sonja Profit.

Indictment #19

JAYLON WESLEY, age 21 of Columbus, Georgia, is charged with the following:

1) Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon

If convicted on Count 1, Mr. Wesley faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine or both.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbus Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Williams.

Questions concerning this release should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.