Corey Boyer and Antonio Smith, both of Atlanta, have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and other drugs as members of the GoodFellas street gang. The two operated out of a fortified apartment in west Atlanta, where they sold drugs and trafficked firearms.
“Boyer and Smith operated a fortified trap house to fund the violent GoodFellas gang by dealing drugs and trafficking firearms, including machineguns,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office continues to closely coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate, prosecute, and punish gang members who pose a clear and present danger to our community.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated: “Corey Boyer and Antonio Smith were key players in a dangerous drug trafficking operation that fueled gang activity and harmed our communities. Their sentencing sends a strong message that the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to dismantle drug networks and remove violent offenders from our streets to ensure the safety of metro-Atlanta residents.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka commented: “This case exemplifies the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we can effectively combat violent gang activity and ensure that those who engage in illegal activities face the consequences of their actions.”
According to court information presented by prosecutors, GoodFellas is an Atlanta-based gang known for recruiting members from neighborhoods as well as jails across Georgia. Members raise funds through various crimes such as drug trafficking, robbery, carjacking, fraud schemes, and firearms sales.
In spring 2024 federal agents began surveillance after learning about ongoing drug activity linked to GoodFellas at an apartment complex in west Atlanta. Over several months authorities observed Boyer and Smith conducting hand-to-hand transactions at the location.
A search conducted by law enforcement in August 2024 resulted in Smith attempting escape through a window while carrying an unserialized machinegun. Inside the apartment officers found Boyer along with six firearms (including suspected machinegun conversion devices), body armor, approximately 500 rounds of ammunition; over $1,000 in counterfeit currency; around 10 kilograms of marijuana; more than one kilogram each of methamphetamine and MDMA; plus smaller amounts of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. Investigators also determined that Smith was involved in trafficking both firearms and machinegun conversion devices.
U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert sentenced Smith on August 28th to over 14 years in prison followed by five years supervised release after he pleaded guilty on May 28th to conspiracy charges related to methamphetamine distribution as well as unlawful possession of a machine gun.
Boyer received his sentence on July 23rd—12 years six months imprisonment followed by five years supervised release—after pleading guilty on April 18th to conspiracy involving intent to distribute methamphetamine.
The investigation was led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with support from ATF agents along with Fulton County Sheriff’s Office personnel and Atlanta Police Department officers.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Renaud prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation which aims to disrupt high-level criminal organizations using multi-agency resources coordinated under prosecutorial leadership (more information available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF).
Additionally this matter falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide Department of Justice initiative targeting cartels/transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime—which combines efforts from OCDETF initiatives with Project Safe Neighborhoods programs.