ROME, Ga. - James Lewallen Meeks, a Georgia Department of Corrections inmate, and two conspirators, Jamey Michael Latty and Mark Anthony Powell, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in trafficking firearms, methamphetamine, and fentanyl in Northwest Georgia.
“While serving a sentence for a violent crime in a Georgia Correctional Facility, Meeks continued his criminal activity by brokering a number of illegal firearm and drug transactions with his co-defendants in Northwest Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Meeks will now serve two decades in federal prison after completing his state sentence, and his co-defendants are headed to federal prison as well.”
“This case exemplifies our commitment to prevent drug trafficking and criminal activity from poisoning our communities,” stated ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Alicia Jones. “It also sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue and prosecute the leaders and members of these violent drug enterprises.”
“Our communities remain under attack by criminal drug trafficking organizations with no regard for the harm and destruction they cause,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This investigation and subsequent arrests of the individuals in this violent drug trafficking organization demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community by destroying these drug trafficking organizations.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the charges and other information presented in court: Starting around February 2022, James Lewallen Meeks, an inmate at Wheeler Correctional Facility in Alamo, Georgia, used a contraband cell phone to coordinate with Jamey Michael Latty and Mark Anthony Powell to sell firearms and drugs. Specifically, in March 2022, Meeks worked with Latty to sell methamphetamine in Rockmart, Georgia, and later sell methamphetamine and a Glock pistol to an individual in Cave Springs, Georgia. Meeks also coordinated repeatedly with Powell to sell methamphetamine and what turned out to be a mixture of fentanyl and xylazine to the same individual in Carrollton, Georgia. Along with the drugs, Powell sold ammunition and five firearms at the direction of Meeks.
In April 2022, Latty separately sold ammunition and four firearms to the same individual in Rome, Georgia.
On June 2, 2022, Latty was arrested in Hiram, Georgia while possessing approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine. That same day Powell was arrested after leading law enforcement on a vehicle chase during which approximately one kilogram of methamphetamine was thrown out of Powell’s truck window. A pistol containing fentanyl was found in Powell’s vehicle at the time of his arrest.
Agents executed a federal search warrant at a residence where some transactions had occurred seizing six firearms including rifles shotguns pistols.
Latty fled after being indicted but was eventually apprehended by U.S Deputy Marshals.
After pleading guilty conspiracy possess intent distribute controlled substance carrying firearm during relation drug trafficking crime U.S District Judge William M Ray II sentenced three men follows:
James Lewallen Meeks 39 Dallas Georgia sentenced 20 years followed eight years supervised release consecutive time already serving state custody
Jamey Michael Latty 45 Centre Alabama sentenced 15 years one month followed five years supervised release
Mark Anthony Powell 43 Jackson Georgia sentenced 10 years seven months followed eight years supervised release
This case investigated Bureau Alcohol Tobacco Firearms Explosives Drug Enforcement Administration invaluable assistance multiple agencies including:
-Georgia State Patrol
-Haralson Paulding County Drug Task Force
-Paulding County Sheriff’s Office
-Polk County Police Department
-Michigan State University Police Department
-U.S Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force Office
-Special Response Team DeKalb County Alabama Sherriff’s Office
Assistant U.S Attorney Rebeca M Ojeda prosecuted case
This effort part Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces OCDETF operation identifies disrupts dismantles highest-level criminal organizations threaten United States using prosecutor-led intelligence-driven multi-agency approach Additional information OCDETF Program can found https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
The Office U.S Attorney Northern District recommends parents children learn dangers drugs following websites www.justthinktwice.gov www.operationprevention.com/ www.dea.gov/onepill For further information please contact U.S Attorney Public Affairs Office USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov (404)581-6016 Internet address U.S Attorney Northern District http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga