Score:   1
Docket Number:   SD-GA  6:18-cr-00014
Case Name:   USA v. Dias et al
  Press Releases:
SAVANNAH, GA:  The lead defendant in a Statesboro drug trafficking conspiracy has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.

Natividad Dias, a/k/a as “Nat,” “Nate,” “Amigo” or “Huevos,” 46, a Mexican national who lived in Sylvania, Ga., was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by Chief U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Dias also must pay a $10,000 fine and will serve an additional five years of supervised release after completion of his sentence. There is no parole in the federal system. 

“By operating a pipeline of illegal narcotics from Atlanta, California and Mexico, this conspiracy polluted these small communities of the Southern District as surely as if it had dumped toxic waste in the neighborhoods,” said Christine. “The law-abiding residents saw something and said something – so we did something by bringing these drug traffickers to justice.”

Evidence in the case showed that Dias was a leader, organizer and recruiter of the conspiracy that distributed multi-kilogram quantities of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and marijuana. During the operation, investigators seized kilograms of methamphetamine and multiple pounds of marijuana, along with multiple firearms.

Operation Icehawk, a joint federal, state and local investigation began in 2015, after citizens complained about drug trafficking and violent crime in Screven County, Ga., and soon uncovered a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana in Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch and Evans counties.

In addition to Dias, other defendants in the operation include:

John Timothy Collins, 48, of Sylvania, Ga.;

John Kenneth Joyner, 47, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Palmer Alton Bazemore III, 51, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Cassie Jo Barbee, 36, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Jaime Elton Newsome, 39, of Statesboro, Ga.;

Megan Nicole Bazemore, 30, of Millen, Ga.;

Christina Elizabeth Davis, 32, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Derrick Riggs, 42, of Statesboro, Ga.;

Gary Paul Joyner, 51, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Monica Isabell Jimenez, 22, of Statesboro, Ga.;

Zackary Allen Durrence, 26, of Statesboro, Ga.;

John Dillon Joyner, 25, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Jonathan Travis Oliver, 36, of Sylvania, Ga.;

Michael Shane Bishop, 44, of Claxton, Ga.;

Jonathon Evan Oglesby, 27, of Millen, Ga.;

Alfred Anthony Woods, 28, of Sylvania, Ga.; and,

Noah Quinn Pope, 25, of Sylvania, Ga.

The 19th defendant named in the indictment currently is undergoing a medical evaluation.

“We are fortunate in the Southern District of Georgia to have such a hard-charging group of local, state and federal personnel pursuing the real bad guys,” said Jamie Jones, Special Agent in Charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Southeastern Regional Drug Enforcement Office. “Drug distributors poison and disrupt families across the state daily. This organization has been terminated, and hopefully some families will benefit from their demise.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Agency Atlanta Field Division stated, “This defendant infested a number of small communities with more than methamphetamine and marijuana. His drug trafficking activities also led to the spread of violent crime. Thanks to our federal, state and local law enforcement partners who responded to this small communities’ call for help. As a result, this poly-drug trafficker was removed from the streets and will spend well-deserved time in prison. This case is a shining example of how success can be achieved when local, state, federal law enforcement agencies and the U.S. Attorney’s Office work together make our communities safer.”

“This case is collaborative effort to rid violent narcotics traffickers from Screven County,” said Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  

“Methamphetamine and other drugs have devastated countless communities due to the dramatic health and public safety consequences that typically accompany its introduction into an area,” said Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan. “This sentencing stems from an extensive collaborative effort between federal, state and local enforcement partners to disrupt a drug trafficking organization responsible for flooding southern Georgia with these dangerous substances. This operation is a testament to the seamless partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies serving the citizens and communities of Georgia.”

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, the premier U.S. Department of Justice program utilized to dismantle multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking organizations.

The investigation was a joint operation of federal agencies including the DEA, HIS, ATF, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS). Participating state agencies included the GBI, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Local law enforcement included the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Evans County Sheriff’s Office; and the Claxton Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Marcela C. Mateo is prosecuted the case for the United States.

STATESBORO, GA:  A Mexican national and 17 other Statesboro-area residents indicted in a sweeping two-year, multi-agency investigation have pled guilty to a multitude of charges, and now face sentences of up to life in prison.

The joint federal, state and local investigation began in 2015 after citizens complained about drug-trafficking and violent crime in Screven County, Ga., and soon uncovered a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana in Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch and Evans counties, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. Of the original 20 defendants indicted in September 2018, 18 have signed guilty pleas, one is pending an evaluation, and charges against another have been dismissed.  

The lead defendant in the case, Natividad Dias, 38, also known as “Nat,” “Nate,” “Amigo” or “Huevos,” pled guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine. He faces up to life in federal prison.

Others signing guilty pleas to similar charges in the case include:

John Timothy Collins, 48

John Kenneth Joyner, 47

Palmer Alton Bazemore II, 51

Cassie Jo Barbee, 36

Jaime Elton Newsome, 39

Megan Nicole Bazemore, 30

Christina Elizabeth Davis, 32

Derrick Riggs, 42

Gary Paul Joyner, 51

Monica Isabell Jimenez, 22

Zackary Allen Durrence, 26

John Dillon Joyner, 25

Jonathan Travis Oliver, 36

Michael Shane Bishop, 44

Jonathon Evan Oglesby, 27

Alfred Anthony Woods, 28

Noah Quinn Pope, 25

Agreements from Oliver and Bishop also include admitting illegal possession of firearms that were seized during the investigation. The defendants face sentences of up to life in prison, and there is no parole in the federal system. Sentencing hearings have not yet been scheduled.

“Securing admissions of guilt from all of the defendants in this operation represents an incredible, exhaustive level of investigative work from all of the partner agencies,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “The obvious payoff is that a significant number of criminals are off the streets and no longer peddling poison in our communities.”

Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division commented on the pleas, “These guilty pleas are a direct result of the dedicated efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The distribution of methamphetamine continues to ravage many communities. The Statesboro-area communities are much safer because these drug traffickers have been removed from the streets.”

 “Homeland Security Investigations works diligently with our federal, state and local partners to prevent dangerous drugs and drug violence from plaguing our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Nick S. Annan. “This joint investigation is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when law enforcement agencies pool their resources and expertise to attack and dismantle criminal organizations engaged in illicit activities that pose a significant threat to public safety.”

This case is being prosecuted as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program, the premier law enforcement unit whose task is to dismantle multi-jurisdictional drug trafficking organizations.

The investigation was a joint operation of federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Participating state agencies included the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Local law enforcement included the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Evans County Sheriff’s Office; and the Claxton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Marcela C. Mateo is prosecuting the case for the United States.

This investigation took place under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer.

STATESBORO, GA: A federal indictment unsealed today, Sept. 12, charge a Mexican national and 19 other Statesboro-area residents with multiple felonies including drug distribution, illegal firearms possession and related offenses resulting from a more than two-year joint operation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

Natividad Dias, 38, also known as “Nat,” “Nate,” “Amigo” or “Huevos,” is among 20 individuals charged with multiple counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. Others also are charged with possession of firearms by convicted felons.

The multi-agency investigation began in 2015 as a result of citizen complaints about drug-trafficking activities and violent crime in Screven County and surrounding communities, including an unsolved homicide case. In 2016, the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Governor’s Taskforce/Drug Suppression, seized more than 500 marijuana plants from a residence in Screven County relating to the charged conspiracy. As the investigation expanded, it revealed the trafficking of methamphetamine and marijuana in Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch and Evans counties. Law enforcement agencies participating in the operation conducted various controlled purchases, state search warrants and traffic stops. In addition to the marijuana plants, the agencies seized methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, along with multiple firearms.

Federal prosecutors used the information compiled during the investigation to secure an indictment under seal for the 20 defendants. Most of the defendants in the case are in custody and some have made their initial appearances in federal court, while one of the defendants remains a fugitive. The indictment was unsealed today.

The federal charges and maximum penalties include:

Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances, 21 U.S.C. § 846, which carries a sentence of 10 years imprisonment to life, along with fines of up to $10 million.

 

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (100 or more marijuana plants regardless of weight), 21 U.S.C. § 842(a) and (b)(1)(B), with sentences ranging from five to 40 years imprisonment and fines of up to $5 million.

 

Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (5 grams or more of Methamphetamine, 50 grams or more of a mixture of Methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture of Cocaine), 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), which carries a sentence of five to 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 million.

Distribution of Controlled Substances, and Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), which typically carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, but may carry increased minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment based on the quantity of controlled substances involved and the prior drug convictions of the defendant. 

Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which carries a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and up to a life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

Felon in Possession of Firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which typically carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.  However, if a defendant has three prior convictions for violent crimes or serious drug offenses, then the sentence ranges from a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment to a maximum of life imprisonment.

         

Those charged in the investigation are:

Natividad Dias, 38

John Timothy Collins, 48

John Kenneth Joyner, 47

Palmer Alton Bazemore II, 51

Cassie Jo Barbee, 36

Jaime Elton Newsome, 39

Megan Nicole Bazemore, 30

Christina Elizabeth Davis, 32

Derrick Riggs, 42

Quinn Cullen Neal, 32

Dylan Anthony Davis, 26

Gary Paul Joyner, 51

Monica Isabell Jimenez, 22

Zackary Allen Durrence, 26

John Dillon Joyner, 25

Jonathan Travis Oliver, 36

Michael Shane Bishop, 44

Jonathon Evan Oglesby, 27

Alfred Anthony Woods, 28

Noah Quinn Pope, 25

This indictment arose from a joint operation of federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Participating state agencies included the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, and the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Local law enforcement included the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Evans County Sheriff’s Office; and the Claxton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Marcela C. Mateo is prosecuting the case for the United States.

This investigation took place under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority, with the reinvigorated PSN as the centerpiece of crime reduction strategies developed by all U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

“This multi-jurisdiction operation represents a significant step toward making our communities safer by removing violent criminals from the streets,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We are committed to working with law-abiding citizens to help break the cycle of criminal activity that feeds so much of the insecurity and despair in many of our neighborhoods, and that begins with getting these serial felons off the streets.”

“This criminal network posed a clear and present danger to the safety and security of the citizens in the Statesboro, Georgia area. Statesboro is a thriving college town and DEA and its law enforcement partners will see to it that this community is a safe haven for our children to obtain a higher education there,” said Robert J. Murphy, the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The removal of these drug traffickers from this town automatically makes this community a safer place. These arrests area a perfect example of the success that can be achieved through multilevel law enforcement cooperation and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

Screven County Sheriff Mike Kile added, “This multi-agency joint investigation was initiated following the large volume of citizen complaints about illegal drug activity in Screven County and surrounding area and the unsolved murder of Lisa Scott and unknown location of missing person Travis Tankersley. Anyone with information regarding these incidents are asked to contact the Screven County Sheriff’s Office or Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 912-871-1121.”

An 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.

For any questions, please contact Barry Paschal at (912) 652-4422.

 

Description: The fiscal year of the data file obtained from the AOUSC
Format: YYYY

Description: The code of the federal judicial circuit where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the federal judicial district where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: The code of the district office where the case was located
Format: A2

Description: Docket number assigned by the district to the case
Format: A7

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which cannot be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A unique number assigned to each defendant in a case which can be modified by the court
Format: A3

Description: A sequential number indicating whether a case is an original proceeding or a reopen
Format: N5

Description: Case type associated with the current defendant record
Format: A2

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, defendant number, and reopen sequence number
Format: A18

Description: A concatenation of district, office, docket number, case type, and reopen sequence number
Format: A15

Description: The status of the defendant as assigned by the AOUSC
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the fugitive status of a defendant
Format: A1

Description: The date upon which a defendant became a fugitive
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which a fugitive defendant was taken into custody
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date when a case was first docketed in the district court
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which proceedings in a case commenced on charges pending in the district court where the defendant appeared, or the date of the defendant’s felony-waiver of indictment
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code used to identify the nature of the proceeding
Format: N2

Description: The date when a defendant first appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: A code indicating the event by which a defendant appeared before a judicial officer in the district court where a charge was pending
Format: A2

Description: A code indicating the type of legal counsel assigned to a defendant
Format: N2

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE1
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE1
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE1
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the second highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE2
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE2
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE2
Format: A3

Description: The title and section of the U.S. Code applicable to the offense committed which carried the third highest severity
Format: A20

Description: A code indicating the level of offense associated with FTITLE3
Format: N2

Description: The four digit AO offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: The four digit D2 offense code associated with FTITLE3
Format: A4

Description: A code indicating the severity associated with FTITLE3
Format: A3

Description: The FIPS code used to indicate the county or parish where an offense was committed
Format: A5

Description: The date of the last action taken on the record
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which judicial proceedings before the court concluded
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the final sentence is recorded on the docket
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The date upon which the case was closed
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: The total fine imposed at sentencing for all offenses of which the defendant was convicted and a fine was imposed
Format: N8

Description: A count of defendants filed including inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed excluding inter-district transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings commenced
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants filed whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated including interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated excluding interdistrict transfers
Format: N1

Description: A count of original proceedings terminated
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants terminated whose proceedings commenced by reopen, remand, appeal, or retrial
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period including long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: A count of defendants pending as of the last day of the period excluding long term fugitives
Format: N1

Description: The source from which the data were loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: A10

Description: A sequential number indicating the iteration of the defendant record
Format: N2

Description: The date the record was loaded into the AOUSC’s NewSTATS database
Format: YYYYMMDD

Description: Statistical year ID label on data file obtained from the AOUSC which represents termination year
Format: YYYY

Data imported from FJC Integrated Database
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