Andrew Carter, Cocaine Distribution, Georgia 2016

Drug Ring Dismantled in South Georgia:

Atlanta, Georgia – In a major blow to the cocaine trade in South Georgia, nine defendants have been sentenced for their roles in a far-reaching conspiracy to distribute cocaine, announced Acting United States Attorney G.F. “Pete” Peterman, III.

The defendants, who were sentenced by the Honorable Hugh Lawson, Senior United States District Judge, include:

Andrew Carter, age 38 of Omega, Georgia – 360 months (30 years)

Juan Pablo Cuevas, age 54 of Atlanta, Georgia – 240 months (20 years)

Maurice Todd Carter, age 35 of Omega, Georgia – 240 months (20 years)

José Alfredo Martínez, age 40 of Omega, Georgia – 200 months (16 years, 8 months)

Kenyatta Mitchell, age 33 of Tifton, Georgia – 150 months (12 years, 6 months)

Lataris Waters, age 26 of Omega, Georgia – 60 months (5 years)

Jessica Tellez, age 32 of Omega, Georgia – 66 months (5 years, 6 months)

James Waters, age 52 of Tifton, Georgia – 60 months (5 years)

Juan Sanchez Hidalgo, 57 of Tifton, Georgia – 42 months (3 years, 6 months)

The defendants were involved in a conspiracy to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine throughout Cook, Colquitt and Tift County, Georgia, between January 1, 2013, and October 28, 2014. In August and September 2014, intercepted communications revealed that the defendants acquired between 10 to 15 kilograms of cocaine per week.

On September 25, 2014, a traffic stop of José Martínez, Jessica Tellez, and Juan Sanchez Hidalgo resulted in the seizure of $225,937 of drug money en route to Juan Pablo Cuevas. Search warrants executed that same date on residences of Maurice Todd Carter, James Waters, and other defendants resulted in the seizure of an additional approximately $50,000, 3 kilograms of cocaine and 11 firearms.

The investigation was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, and the Tift, Crisp, Cook, and Colquitt County Sheriff’s Offices. Assistant United States Attorney Julia Bowen handled the prosecution for the Government.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney G.F. Peterman, III, “The teamwork of local, state and federal law enforcement, working together, shut down this major drug running business in South Georgia. There is no parole in the federal prison system. With these sentences, our community, our citizens and our children will be safe from the criminal activities of these individuals for up to thirty years in the case of the ring leader. This is outstanding work by our law enforcement officers and prosecutors.”

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