Four Macon men sentenced in federal meth trafficking case
Federal officials say the men were part of a drug trafficking network distributing meth, heroin and fentanyl across Middle Georgia.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Four Macon men involved in a methamphetamine trafficking operation were sentenced to federal prison Thursday for distributing kilogram quantities of the drug across Middle Georgia.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia, U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell sentenced the defendants.
34-year-old Denzelle Diangelo Willis was sentenced to 278 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. 33-year-old James Richard Fuller received 181 months in prison and five years of supervised release. 29-year-old Julio Cesar Mendez, also known as “Migo,” was sentenced to 135 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. 31-year-old Deion Jocoley Howard received 53 months in prison and five years of supervised release.
All four defendants pleaded guilty on March 24 to drug trafficking-related charges.
“All those associated with these criminal organizations pushing large quantities of the most deadly and addictive drugs into the Middle District of Georgia will find their cases in federal court,” U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes said. “Our office is working closely with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to make our communities safer.”
According to court documents, the DEA began investigating a drug trafficking operation in Macon in November 2022 with assistance from the Bibb, Peach and Monroe County Sheriff’s Offices. The investigation stemmed from a separate FBI case that led to the seizure of nearly 11 kilograms of methamphetamine.
Agents identified Willis and Mendez as key suppliers of meth and heroin in the area. Between February and March 2023, undercover informants bought meth from Mendez and heroin from Willis. The drugs tested positive for fentanyl.
Surveillance and wiretaps revealed Mendez used a stash house on Melbourne Street and distributed ounce quantities of meth and marijuana through a network of street-level dealers. Howard acted as a broker between mid- and upper-level drug dealers, connecting Mendez to Willis.
“This case represents the continued commitment of the DEA to identify and hold accountable those who engage in the distribution of dangerous drugs,” Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, said. “These defendants had total disregard for their actions that far too often have tragic consequences.”
