Charles Hyde, Methamphetamine Trafficking, Georgia 2021

Charles Hyde, a 64-year-old Liberty County man, has been sentenced to nearly 40 years in prison for his role in a large-scale methamphetamine trafficking operation in Georgia.

According to a press release, Hyde was found guilty of Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 50 grams or more of Methamphetamine; Possession with Intent to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and a Quantity of Marijuana; Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon; Possession of a Firearm with an Obliterated Serial Number; and Possession and Brandishing of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime.

Hyde was sentenced to 444 months in prison on February 10, 2021, in U.S. District Court in Brunswick, Georgia. He will also serve five years of supervised release after completing his prison sentence.

The investigation into Hyde’s operation began in July 2016, when it was discovered that he and a co-defendant, Stacey White, made multiple trips to the Atlanta area each month to obtain kilograms of methamphetamine from a supplier. The duo recruited others to assist in selling the drugs, which were distributed throughout the region.

In May 2018, investigators conducted a controlled purchase of drugs from Hyde, which led to a search of his residence. During the search, Hyde aimed a handgun at the investigators and attempted to shoot, but the firearm malfunctioned. A Liberty County deputy shot Hyde in the hand, and he was subsequently taken into custody.

Hyde and his co-defendant, White, were indicted on federal conspiracy charges in February 2019. White pled guilty and was sentenced to 246 months in prison, while three other codefendants also pled guilty and are serving prison terms. Hyde’s brother, Terry Hyde, was sentenced to 84 months in prison after pleading guilty to his involvement in the operation.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.

The sentencing of Charles Hyde serves as a reminder of the severe consequences of engaging in large-scale drug trafficking operations. The case highlights the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to dismantle these organizations and bring those responsible to justice.

Related Federal Cases