GA Meth Kingpin Shawn Phillips Sentenced to Life in Prison

It was a gritty day in federal court as Shawn Foster Phillips, the alleged kingpin of a Middle Georgia methamphetamine syndicate, faced life imprisonment for his role in a drug ring that flooded the streets with over 50 kilograms of crystal meth. The United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Michael J. Moore, announced the sentencing of Phillips and four others on January 16, 2014.

Phillips, age 35, Chad Minter, 40, Marty Bass, 51, Travis Walker McElhenny, 40, and Jon Rylander, 28, all from Houston County, entered guilty pleas to various meth-related charges.

According to their confessions, the group operated between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. Phillips traveled from Warner Robins to Atlanta to obtain methamphetamine from a Mexican supplier before distributing it back home. Minter, Bass, and McElhenny then sold the drugs to street-level dealers. The organization’s reach was vast, authorities estimate.

The sentencing on May 7, 2014, saw Chad Minter receive a ten-year sentence. Travis McElhenny got seven years, Marty Bass was handed fifteen years behind bars, and Jon Rylander received three years of probation. Sentencing for the remaining defendants is pending.

Investigation of this case was a collaborative effort by the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Houston County Sheriff’s Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles L. Calhoun led the prosecution.

Michael Moore emphasized the severity of methamphetamine distribution: ‘My office will continue to target and dismantle these types of drug trafficking organizations. Meth use and distribution pose a significant threat to the public and must be vigorously prosecuted.’ For inquiries, contact Pamela Lightsey at (478) 621-2603.

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