MACON, Ga. – The supplier to an armed methamphetamine and fentanyl trafficking organization that delivered kilogram quantities of narcotics from her high-rise condominium in Atlanta’s Buckhead community pleaded guilty to her crimes today.
Heather Breland, 39, of Atlanta, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Marc T. Treadwell to one count of aiding and abetting co-defendant Randall Heath’s possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Breland faces a mandatory minimum of ten years to a maximum of life in prison, followed by five years of supervised release and a maximum fine of $10,000,000. Co-defendant Randall Heath, 62, of Macon, pleaded guilty today to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by a minimum of three years of supervised release and a maximum fine $1,000,000. The remaining seven co-defendants charged in this case have all previously entered guilty pleas:
Raiford Reeves a/k/a “RH,” 43, of Warner Robins, Georgia, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine and faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison to a maximum of life, followed by five years of supervised release;
Travis Warthen aka “Trap,” 39, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute controlled substances and faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years to a maximum of life in prison, followed by five years of parole At sight ;
Jeremiah Kaleta, 46, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by a minimum of three years of supervised release;
Lucretia Snellgrove, 51, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, followed by a minimum of three years of supervised release;
Kendall Howard, 31, of Centerville, Georgia, pleaded guilty to using a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess methamphetamine with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release;
Kenneth Maddox, 31, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to using a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute methamphetamine and faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, followed by one year of supervised release; And
Luis Acosta, 35, of Centerville, pleaded guilty to using a communication facility to unlawfully conspire to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, followed of one year of supervised release.
All defendants will be sentenced on dates set by the court. The defendants are not eligible for probation.
“Heather Breland went to great lengths to evade justice for supplying kilos of deadly narcotics to her network of drug traffickers in central Georgia. Ultimately, she was caught and will now be held accountable for her crimes alongside her co-defendants,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This case is the result of a lengthy investigation by the Organized Crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force, a group of law enforcement agencies working hand-in-hand throughout the Middle District of Georgia to target criminal organizations that cause the greatest harm to our country. “Communities.”
“These violent and dangerous drug traffickers enrich their lives by profiting from the pain and addiction of others,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “These defendants now face significant federal prison sentences.”
“Heather Breland and Randall Heath were involved in an organized network designed to sell poison on the streets of our community. Most law enforcement agencies do not have the resources to conduct investigations to combat organizations like this. We are fortunate in Middle Georgia to have federal, state and local law enforcement agencies who recognize the value of working together to keep our communities safe,” said Peach County Sheriff Terry W. Deese.
“The successful prosecution and dismantling of this organization is an example of what can be achieved when local, state and federal authorities work together. These efforts have made Warner Robins and Peach County safer. “I am extremely proud of the contribution our officers made in this case and the outcome,” said Warner Robins Interim Police Chief Roy Whitehead.
According to court documents, DEA agents and local law enforcement investigated co-defendant Reeves’ Warner Robins-based drug trafficking organization between October 2021 and June 2022. Breland – the organization’s supplier – distributed kilogram quantities of narcotics, primarily methamphetamine and fentanyl, to Reeves from her condominium in Atlanta’s Buckhead community. Law enforcement obtained court orders to intercept Breland and Reeves’ cell phone calls and text messages and conducted controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Reeves. Reeves would supply some of the narcotics to other co-defendants for sale. Agents observed Breland traveling to Macon to supply Reeves with narcotics. It also had a self-storage unit on Riverside Drive in Macon to store drugs.
Agents learned that Breland planned to supply co-defendant Heath with narcotics. On May 21, 2022, Heath took an airport shuttle service to Atlanta; Breland ordered a ride for Heath from the shuttle station to her condo. Heath returned to Macon on May 25 using the same shuttle service and was seen leaving the shuttle station with a suitcase and getting into his car. A traffic stop was conducted and police warned of the presence of narcotics in the car. Investigators found a kilogram of methamphetamine in his suitcase. On May 26, agents executed a search warrant at a motel occupied by Reeves and co-defendant Howard in Warner Robins; Reeves was flushing methamphetamine down a toilet when officers entered the room. Officers seized methamphetamine, fentanyl, oxycodone, alprazolam, clonazepam, codeine and a 9mm semi-automatic pistol. That same day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Breland’s condominium. Breland immediately fled in her Range Rover when agents arrived. From her apartment, officers seized 3,266 kilograms of pure methamphetamine, 14.72 grams of fentanyl, cocaine, marijuana, a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a .22 Magnum caliber revolver, two cell phones and $78,353 in cash. That same day, officers executed a search warrant at her storage unit in Macon and seized eight pounds of marijuana in a Louis Vuitton duffel bag.
After executing the search warrant, Breland fled to North Carolina, created a fictitious license plate and changed her hair length and color. She was arrested by U.S. Marshals on October 20, 2022 at a hotel and casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. When she was arrested, she had methamphetamine and identification cards with a similar appearance but false identification information on her person. Breland has already been convicted of seven felonies for forgery, possession of methamphetamine, burglary and identity fraud. Co-defendant Reeves has prior convictions for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-led, multi-agency approach. For more information about the OCDETF program, visit https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Warner Robins Police Department, the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and the Peach County Sheriff’s Office Office with assistance from the US Marshals Service.
Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation Will Keyes is leading the case.
