A Johnson County man, Travis Lee Martin, also known as “Fat,” has been sentenced to more than 16 years in federal prison for his involvement in drug trafficking. The sentencing comes after Martin pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and 100 Grams or More of Heroin. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg confirmed that Martin was sentenced to 200 months in prison by U.S. District Court Judge Dudley H. Bowen.
Steinberg praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in dismantling Martin's drug trafficking and dog fighting operations, stating, “This sentence is a testament to the outstanding investigation by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and other law enforcement agencies that identified and dismantled Martin’s multi-county drug trafficking and dog fighting operations.”
The investigation led to the unearthing of an operation distributing methamphetamine and heroin across several counties, resulting in multiple arrests. Martin’s guilty plea also involved the forfeiture of $80,050 in cash seized during the investigation. The prosecution of Martin and his co-defendants was part of a larger crackdown on criminal activities in the area, with all remaining defendants having been sentenced to prison terms of up to 87 months.
Additionally, Martin and several co-defendants are awaiting sentencing for charges related to violating the Animal Welfare Act in connection with a dog fighting operation. The rescue of 96 dogs suspected to be involved in the illegal activity was a significant outcome of the investigation. Special Agent Robert J. Murphy of the DEA Atlanta Division emphasized the agency's commitment to holding criminals accountable in cases like this.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Office of Inspector General-Investigations highlighted their dedication to investigating animal abuse cases, particularly those related to animal fighting. Special Agent Miles Davis stressed the agency's focus on combating such acts of cruelty and commended the efforts of law enforcement partners in prosecuting offenders.
Both the drug trafficking and dog fighting cases were meticulously investigated by various law enforcement agencies and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer J. Kirkland and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica K. Rock respectively. The coordinated efforts of these agencies reflect a united front against illicit activities that pose a threat to communities.