SAVANNAH, GA: The leader of a drug trafficking conspiracy that distributed kilos of cocaine and large quantities of other illegal drugs throughout coastal Georgia has been sentenced to more than 25 years in federal prison, completing the prosecution of Operation Deadlier Catch.
Joseph Bulloch, aka “Lil Joe”, 34, of Savannah, was sentenced to 310 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 10 pounds or more of cocaine, 8 grams or more of crack cocaine or more had known. and amounts of heroin and marijuana; possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; and maintaining drug-related premises, said Jill E. Steinberg, US Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. US District Court Judge R. Stan Baker also ordered Bulloch to be released under supervision five times after his sentence expired.
There is no probation in the federal system.
“Our law enforcement partners in Operation Deadlier Catch have done a tremendous job in identifying and shutting down this large-scale drug trafficking network, eliminating the threat of illicit drugs and the violence that comes with it from our community,” said US Attorney Steinberg. “We will continue to coordinate our efforts to protect our neighborhoods from dangerous drugs.”
Operation Deadlier Catch, as documented in court documents and the indictment in USA v Bulloch et al. of December 2020, infiltrated the drug trafficking network to locate the supply source and distribution points in the greater Savannah area. Led by investigators from the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Inspection Service, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and the Savannah Police Department, the operation culminated in a series of searches in which agents seized more than 50 pounds of cocaine, more than 180 pounds of marijuana, 3 kilograms of heroin and more than a dozen firearms – many of them illegally owned by previously convicted felons.
The indictment named 29 defendants in 27 counts of criminal offences. With the exception of one defendant, who remains at large, all defendants pleaded guilty to criminal charges and were convicted, most of them to significant prison terms. In addition to Bulloch, key individuals convicted in the course of the operation include:
- Ildelfonso Sanchez-Inzunza, 32, a Mexican national illegally in the United States, was sentenced to 125 months in prison followed by deportation after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine, crack cocaine and heroin had known possession of a firearm by an illegal alien; and maintaining drug-related premises. The investigation determined that Sanchez-Inzunza is a representative of the California-based supply source for the drug dealers. Agents who searched Sanchez-Inzunza’s Savannah residence found large amounts of drugs, including more than 16 kilograms of cocaine and three kilograms of heroin, and nearly $200,000 in cash.
- Kashif Collins, aka “Fat Boy”, 36, of Savannah, sentenced to 220 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute cocaine; and two points of maintaining drug-related premises. Collins managed “stash houses” and coordinated deliveries to low-level drug dealers.
- Jontae Keel, aka “Blyha”, 31, of Savannah, was sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess and distribute 50 kilograms of marijuana with intent. Keel’s mother, Joann Keel Robinson, aka “Ma Dukes”, 55, of Savannah, and three brothers, Javontae Parrish, 32, Joseph Parrish III, 31, and Jashavious Keel, 29, all of Savannah, were also convicted after admitting to the pleaded guilty to conspiracy.
One defendant, Jarnard Williams, 32, of Savannah, remains a fugitive. He is charged with conspiracy to possess and distribute 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, 28 grams or more of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
“Thanks to the hard work and cooperation of our law enforcement partners, one of the leaders of this extensive drug distribution network will be serving an extended period of time behind bars,” said Keri Farley, Acting Special Agent for the FBI Atlanta. “Bulloch and his co-defendants have plagued the community with their drugs, guns and violence, and the FBI is committed to removing every one of these predators from our streets.”
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge for the DEA’s Atlanta branch, said, “This career criminal can no longer distribute dangerous drugs as he now faces a severe sentence for both his drug crimes and violent criminal behavior.”
“This investigation is a prime example of what happens when law enforcement agencies combine their resources to meet the common goal of protecting communities from the many dangers of illegal and dangerous drugs,” said Tommy D. Coke, chief inspector for the US’s Atlanta Division Postal Inspection Service. “Protecting the country’s postal system from criminal abuse is at the core of the Postal Inspection Service’s mission, and I commend the hard work of all our partners in bringing these individuals to justice.”
“Tackling drugs in our community remains our core mission. The conviction of Mr. Bulloch and his co-defendants, and the dissolution of his distribution network, is a sign of our relentless commitment to eradicating the presence of this poison and violent crime throughout our community,” said Michael G. Sarhatt, director of the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team. “Today is the result of a strong collaboration between Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics, the FBI, the DEA, the US Postal Inspection Service, the Savannah Police Department and the US Attorney’s Office. It is our promise to continue our commitment to keeping our roads safe and clean.”
“Thanks to extensive and trusted partnerships, a dangerous criminal will now sit behind bars for decades,” said Lenny Gunther, Savannah Police Chief. “Our department is committed to maintaining a focus on partnerships and relationships to continue to deliver similar results in the future.”
Operation Deadlier Catch was investigated by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, dismantles and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations threatening the United States through a prosecutorial-led, intelligence-led, and multi-agency approach.
Agencies investigating the case included the FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, US Postal Inspection Service, Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and the Savannah Police Department. The case was prosecuted for the United States by Assistant US Attorney Frank M. Pennington II.
