MEMPHIS, TN – Courtney Davis, 28, of Memphis, is headed to federal prison for 87 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. The sentencing, handed down Friday, marks the first conviction in a sprawling federal investigation targeting the ‘Young Mob’ gang and its drug operations in the Memphis area.
Dubbed ‘Geo’ and ‘Geo Grape’ on the streets, Davis was a key player in the distribution network, responsible for moving approximately 90 grams of fentanyl and a staggering 1360 grams of methamphetamine, according to court documents. The investigation, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Memphis Multiagency Gang Unit, utilized court-authorized wiretaps that intercepted Davis discussing the acquisition and distribution of counterfeit fentanyl pills – commonly known as “blues” due to their resemblance to 30mg oxycodone tablets.
The wiretaps revealed Davis conspiring with co-defendant Brian Lackland, who goes by the aliases ‘Stupid Duke’, ‘Spooky Duke’, ‘Duke’, and ‘Homework’, to source and move the deadly drugs. The investigation began in March 2024, focusing on the ‘Young Mob Military’ gang’s involvement in the fentanyl and methamphetamine trade. Federal prosecutors detailed how Davis and Lackland worked together to flood the streets with illicit substances.
“This sentence sends a clear message that those who profit from poisoning our communities will be held accountable,” stated Matthew R. Galeotti, head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, and Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren for the Western District of Tennessee in a prepared statement. However, sources within the ATF suggest this is just the tip of the iceberg, with 17 other individuals still facing charges as part of the ongoing probe.
Davis pleaded guilty in December 2024 to the conspiracy charge, avoiding a potentially lengthier sentence. The prosecution, led by Trial Attorneys Brian P. Leaming and Amanda Kotula of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime and Racketeering Section, and Assistant U.S. Attorney P. Neal Oldham, successfully argued for a substantial prison term, citing the devastating impact of fentanyl and methamphetamine on the Memphis community.
This case is part of the Criminal Division’s Violent Crime Initiative in Memphis, a joint effort between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies aimed at dismantling violent gangs and disrupting the flow of illegal drugs. The initiative seeks to utilize federal statutes to prosecute gang members and their associates, addressing the root causes of violence and drug-related crime in the city. The ATF confirmed the investigation remains active and anticipates further arrests and convictions in the coming months.
Related Federal Cases
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- Markel Strong, Armed Career Criminal, Memphis TN, 2023 · Tennessee
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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