Drug offenses lead to the largest indictment in the history of the Southern District of Georgia

Brunswick, Ga. – A total of 76 individuals were named as defendants in USA v. Alvarez et al. named, a federal charge associated with the white supremacy criminal street gang “Ghost Face Gangsters,” along with other well-known prison and street gangs. Officials say an investigation has not only uncovered a massive drug trafficking ring, but also allegedly uncovered multiple deaths from illegal drug overdoses.

On January 11, attorney David H. Estes said the 76 defendants were charged with involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy in which large quantities of methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin and alprazolam were trafficked across South Georgia.

FOX 5 learned that the primary conspiracy charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison along with substantial fines and a period of supervised release in the cast to prevent a defendant from receiving a life sentence.

“Operation Ghost Busted demonstrates the focused commitment of law enforcement at all levels to identifying, infiltrating and disrupting drug trafficking networks in our communities,” said US Attorney Estes. “We are proud to serve with these professionals in the ongoing work to protect our neighborhoods from illegal gang activity and the resulting violent crime.”

Several federal, state and local law enforcement agencies said they had been investigating the drug trafficking network for over two years.

Glynn County was just one area used by the network. Other affected Georgia counties included: Pierce, Wayne, Treutlen, McIntosh, Toombs, Telfair, Dodge and Ware counties.

Officials said at least one compromised correctional officer was involved, who worked with a conspiracy leader who is currently serving life behind bars on murder charges. Other participants include members of the Ghost Face Gangsters and Aryan Brotherhood – two well-known white supremacist gangs – and the Bloods and Gangster Disciples – two well-known, mainly black gangs.

Two of the 76 named defendants were also charged with distributing illegal drugs, which resulted in the deaths of three people from an overdose.

A vehicle, 43 firearms and more than $53,000 in cash were forfeited to the court. More than three dozen other defendants are prosecuted in the investigation on state charges.

In a 133-page, 118-count indictment, the court revealed that this may be the largest ever seen in the Southern District of Georgia.

According to the court, the named defendants are:

1. David E. Alvarez, 24, of Townsend, Georgia.
2. Garrison A. Bell, 35, of Brunswick, Ga.
3. Desiree M. Briley, 26, of McRae-Helena, Georgia.
4. Rachael P. Byrd, aka “Byrd is the Word”, aka “Rachael NeSmith”, 25, from Brunswick, Georgia.
5. Terry L. Cason II, 36, of Brunswick, Ga.
6. Tonya C. Cox, aka “Shuge White”, 43, from Brunswick, Georgia.
7. Abraham Crews, aka “Abe”, 41, of Waverly, Georgia.
8. Hannah G. Croft, 23, of Brunswick, Georgia.
9. Michael S Daniels, 39, of Waynesville, Georgia.
10. Marissa D. Davis, 31, of Brunswick, Georgia.
11. Willie H. Day, 52, of Brunswick, Ga.
12. Ashley Deen, 29, from Brunswick, Georgia.
13. Cody M. Demers, aka “Bravo Seven”, 24, from Blackshear, Georgia.
14. Skyler T. Drawdy, 24, of Darien, Georgia.
15. Taylor D. Drew, 32, of Brunswick, Georgia.
16. Joshua A. Drury, 41, of Darien, Georgia.
17. Jonathan R. Elrod, aka “Brazy Jay”, aka “Jay”, aka “John Boy”, 33, from Blairsville, Georgia.
18. Joshua E. Enke, 33, of Brunswick, Georgia.
19. Juan C. Everette, aka “Don Juan”, 36, from Brunswick, Georgia.
20. Andrew R. Flanagan, aka “Drew”, 35, from Brunswick, Georgia.
21. Verdalee D. Flanagan, aka “Verlee”, 37, of Nahunta, Georgia.
22. Alexa B. Foster, aka Lexa, 29, from Brunswick, Georgia.
23. Theodore Gee, aka “Keno”, 44, from Brunswick, Georgia.
24. Chad L. Googe, 40, of Brunswick, Ga.
25. Shawn S. Green, aka “Polo Green”, 42, from Brunswick, Georgia.
26. Laura R. Harden, 49, of Brunswick, Georgia.
27. John E. Harrison, aka “Johnny”, 25, of Brunswick, Georgia.
28. Priscilla Hemingway, aka “Priscilla Carr”, 43, from Brunswick, Georgia.
29. Wyndel L. Herndon, 40, of Brunswick, Georgia.
30. Britnee V. Houston, 28, of Waynesville, Georgia.
31. Timothy W. Hutchinson, aka “Tim”, 58, of Brunswick, Georgia.
32. Kenneth W. Lane, aka “Skinny”, 43, from Hortense, Georgia.
33. Timothy W. Loper, 35, of Brunswick, Georgia.
34. Kenneth Mainor, aka “Busta Bill”, 66, from White Oak, Georgia.
35. Kenyetta D. Mainor, aka “Yatta”, 46, of Brunswick, Georgia.
36. Wendell McClain, 34, from Brunswick, Georgia.
37. Cameren A. McDonald, 26, of Brunswick, Georgia.
38. Justin W. McGhee, 36, of Darien, Georgia.
39. Charlie A. Moody, 42, of Brunswick, Georgia.
40. Antonio Morales, aka “Silence”, aka “Silent Ololade”, 29, from Vidalia, Georgia.
41. Aubrey NeSmith, 21, of Metter, Georgia.
42. James D. NeSmith, a/k/a “DG”, 25, an inmate at Telfair State Prison
43. Mary NeSmith, 58, of Metter, Georgia.
44. Eric S. Ogden, aka “Scotty”, 35, of Woodbine, Georgia.
45. Auston J. Proctor, 32, of Woodbine, Georgia.
46. Michael A. Provenzano, 34, of Brunswick, Georgia.
47. Jimmy A. Reynolds, aka “Jim”, 54, of Brunswick, Georgia.
48. James C. Richardson, 35, of Brunswick, Georgia.
49. William W. Ringle, aka “Will”, 42, of Brunswick, Georgia.
50. Anthony D. Ruffner, 32, of Brunswick, Georgia.
51. Samantha S. Russell, 34, of Brunswick, Georgia.
52. Jamey E. Sapp, 50, of St. Simons Island, Georgia.
53. Blake K. Screen, 34, of Brunswick, Georgia.
54. John D. Screen, 31, of Brunswick, Georgia.
55. Adam H Smith, 43, of Brunswick, Georgia.
56. Brian T. Spell, 32, of Waynesville, Georgia.
57. Gregory W. Stabile, aka “G”, aka “Lts Be DAreason”, 37, of Brunswick, Georgia.
58. James L. Stephens, aka “Rabbit”, 39, from Brunswick, Georgia.
59. Debra L. Stokes, aka “Debbie”, 59, from Brunswick, Georgia.
60. Stephanie L. Stover, 44, of Brunswick, Georgia.
61. Jason A. Sweat, 35, of St. Marys, Georgia.
62. Clinton Taylor, 34, from Brunswick, Georgia.
63. Cori L. Taylor, 26, of Eastman, Georgia.
64. Larry B. Taylor, aka “Lee Lee”, 57, from Jacksonville, Florida.
65. Christopher J. Thompson, 35, of Brunswick, Georgia.
66. Ronald E. Thompson, aka “E”, aka “3D”, 39, of Brunswick, Georgia.
67. Jesse J. Trujillo, 30, of Swainsboro, Georgia.
68. Charles W. Walrath, aka “Boomer”, 51, of Brunswick, Georgia.
69. Dayton P. Whatley, 35, of St. Simons Island, Georgia.
70. David Nicholas Wheeler, 52, of Waverly, Georgia.
71. Dakota L. White, 21, of Vidalia, Georgia.
72. James D. Wiggins, aka Brad Jones, 30, from Brunswick, Georgia.
73. Jeremy D. Wix, 42, of Townsend, Georgia.
74. Heaven L. Wolfe, 32, of Blackshear, Georgia.
75. Joshua T. Wolfe, aka “White Boy”, aka “Tom Walier”, 29, of Blackshear, Georgia; and
76. David D. Young, aka “Khaos”, 42, from Hortense, Georgia.

The defendants are scheduled to make their first appearance in US District Court in Brunswick later this week.

Left to right: Michael Provenzano, David Young (FOX 5 Atlanta)

The FBI said it is still looking for two suspects, David Young and Michael Provenzano. The two were charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and reportedly issued arrest warrants in Savannah.