Final Defendants Sentenced In 28-Defendant Investigation Of Criminal Activity By North Georgia Motorcycle Gangs |
|---|
|
U.S. Attorney’s Office
Northern District of Georgia
6 February 2015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GAINESVILLE, Ga. - Walt Verrill, who was a member of the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club, and Tony Parrott, who was an affiliate of the same motorcycle club, are the last two defendants in a long-term investigation of motorcycle gangs in North Georgia. Both have been sentenced for possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute.
“These sentencings close a comprehensive investigation into drug trafficking and illegal gun and explosives offenses by members of motorcycle gangs operating in North Georgia,” said Acting United States Attorney John Horn. “The case reflects our commitment to make sure the communities in North Georgia are safe, and prevent gang members involved in drug and gun offenses from establishing a foothold there.”
J. Britt Johnson, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, stated: “This sentencing concludes an extensive investigation by the FBI and its law enforcement partners into criminal activities associated with several biker groups located in the North Georgia region. The FBI is well positioned to conduct and coordinate such investigations and will continue to work with area law enforcement in making sure that North Georgia remains free from such individuals and groups attempting to set up organized criminal enterprises.”
According to Acting United States Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: Beginning in mid-2010, the FBI conducted a long-term undercover investigation in north Georgia into allegations that members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club, the Black Pistons Motorcycle Club, and other motorcycle clubs were engaged in various forms of criminal activity, including drug distribution and illegal firearms and explosives offenses. An undercover agent posed as a drug dealer from Florida who was looking to expand his drug dealing into North Georgia. He was introduced to members of the motorcycle clubs by a club member who was working as an informant for the FBI.
The undercover agent conducted actual and ruse drug deals in which he either bought methamphetamine from motorcycle club members or recruited club members to assist him in moving what they were led to believe were significant quantities of methamphetamine or cocaine from North Georgia to Tennessee. The undercover agent also obtained firearms from convicted felons and engaged two defendants in discussions about making an unregistered explosive device for him.
The investigation also took a side route into the Hispanic SUR-13 gang, which was operating in Hall County, Ga. A second informant introduced SUR-13 gang members and affiliates to the undercover agent, and they then moved what they were led to believe were significant quantities of cocaine through Hall County, Ga., to Tennessee. The undercover agent also conducted illegal firearms transactions with SUR-13 gang members.
In mid-July 2012, the FBI learned that members of the Outlaw Motorcycle Club suspected that one of the FBI’s informants was working for the FBI. The undercover investigation was terminated at that time. On August 16, 2012, 22 defendants were arrested on drug, firearms, and obstruction of justice charges. Six other defendants were arrested later. Since then, 20 defendants have pleaded guilty to various charges, two defendants were convicted after jury trials, and five defendants were acquitted at trial. One defendant, David Rizo-Troncoso, absconded after he was released on bond. Rizo-Troncoso remains a fugitive.
Verrill, 50, of Sautee Nacoochee, Ga., has been sentenced by United States District Judge Richard W. Story to three years, four months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Verrill was convicted on these charges on July 23, 2013, after he pleaded guilty. Parrott, 38, of Ellijay, Ga., has been sentenced to two years, four months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release. Parrott was convicted on these charges on October 30, 2013, after he pleaded guilty. Winfred Turner, 63, from Watkinsville, Ga., was convicted at trial of conspiring to aid and abet and aiding and abetting the possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Turner was sentenced to five years in prison. Bobby McGlothlin, 50, of Murrayville, Ga., was convicted at trial of selling a firearm to a convicted felon with knowledge that the buyer had a felony conviction. McGlothlin was sentenced to four months in prison. Howard Haney, 44, Alpharetta, Ga., pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Haney was sentenced to ten years in prison. Larry Samples, 45, of Hall County, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Samples was sentenced to ten years in prison. Dawen Lloyd, 50, of Winterville, Ga., pleaded guilty possession of a firearm during a drug trafficking crime. Lloyd was sentenced to five years in prison. James Brown, 43, of Danielsville, Ga., pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Brown was sentenced to two years in prison. Denny Riley, 38, of Avonmore, Penn., pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Riley was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. George Jordan, 48, of Hall County, Ga., pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Brown was sentenced to three years and six months in prison. Davey Honeycutt, 47, Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to aid and abet the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Honeycutt was sentenced to five years in prison. Phillip Honeycutt, 48, of Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Honeycutt was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. Tom Coley, 60, Danielsville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to aid and abet the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Coley was sentenced to three years and one month in prison. Brandon Musser, 29, Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to aid and abet the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Musser was sentenced to two years and four months in prison. Josue Guerrero, 22, of Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to aid and abet the possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute. Guerrero was sentenced to five years in prison. Jesse Castillo, 23, from Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Castillo was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. Reynol Castrejon, 33, of Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute. Castrejon was sentenced to five years and six months in prison. Dan Redding, 28, of Justin, Texas, pleaded guilty to using a communication facility in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Redding was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. Franscisco Montano, 28, of Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to conspiring to sell a firearm to a convicted felon. Montano was sentenced to five years in prison. Juan Pablo Hurtado, 26, of Gainesville, Ga., pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm with an obliterated serial number. Hurtado was sentenced to one year and six months in prison. Raymond Sellers pleaded guilty to conspiring to make and transfer a destructive device. Sellers was sentenced to two years and nine months in prison. George Norwood pleaded guilty to conspiring to make and transfer a destructive device. Norwood was sentenced to two years in prison.