Ghillie Suit Drug Dealer Keith Gaines Sentenced in Georgia

Keith Gaines, 43, of Bainbridge, Georgia, is headed to federal prison for 176 months after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine. The sentence, handed down by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands on March 1, 2018, marks the end of a bizarre and brazen criminal run that included a failed escape in full ghillie suit camouflage gear.

The case began April 22, 2016, when agents from the Bainbridge Department of Public Safety executed a search warrant in Decatur County. Inside a cookie tin, they found 38.51 grams of crack and powder cocaine. A warrant was issued for Gaines, who remained at large—until he reappeared days later in one of the strangest police encounters in recent local memory.

On May 3, 2016, officers responded to a report of a man in a ghillie suit prowling near the city’s purchasing department warehouse. Suspecting a potential break-in, agents approached—only for Gaines to drop an object, bolt behind a rail car, and flee on foot. He was found minutes later, lying face down in thick woods. A search of his wallet turned up more cocaine.

The next day, from the Decatur County Jail, Gaines made a fatal mistake. On a recorded line, he called a man—later identified as a relative—and told him to retrieve drugs buried near a large tree where he’d been caught. Agents acted fast, unearthing two sandwich bags containing additional crack and powder cocaine. Total weight: 64.13 grams.

Authorities confirmed Gaines had given the relative’s number during booking. The relative admitted Gaines asked him to recover the stash but said he refused. The evidence, combined with Gaines’ criminal history, sealed his fate. U.S. Attorney Charles E. Peeler emphasized Gaines was designated a career offender due to at least five prior cocaine convictions—spanning nearly 25 years of drug dealing.

“He has made a career of peddling this poison on the streets of our communities,” Peeler said. “We hope this sentence ends that career and deters others.” The case was investigated by the Bainbridge Department of Public Safety and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah E. McEwen. Questions should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, at (478) 621-2603.