Heroin supplier to Middle Georgia sentenced to over 11 years in federal prison

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) — The US Department of Justice sent out a release Wednesday concerning the sentencing of a primary supplier to a heroin distribution ring in Macon who was arrested in February of 2019.

According to the release, 43 year-old Michael Duffy of Sandy Springs, Georgia, worked from the metro Atlanta area with others to distribute heroin to the Middle Georgia area, admitting to conspiring with others to possess with intent to distribute enough heroin to provide over 10,000 to 30,000 doses from December of 2018 to February of 2019.

Duffy has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison, including 3 years of supervised release after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin.

U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary says,

“Michael Duffy richly profited from supplying large quantities of heroin as untold lives in Middle Georgia were ruined by the opioid addiction he was feeding,”

The release also lists the following co-defendants who have been sentenced:

Chad Bresach, 38, of Eatonton, Georgia, pleaded guilty to distribution of heroin. Bresach was sentenced to serve 84 months in prison to run consecutively to any term of imprisonment imposed in Peach County, Jones County, Putnam County and Houston County Superior Courts to be followed by three years of supervised release on March 3;

Reginald Summerford, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Summerford was sentenced to serve 80 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on March 3;

Terrence Jackson, 43, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin. Jackson was sentenced to 52 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release on June 10;

Arthur Anderson, 57, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Anderson was sentenced to 48 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on June 15;

Courtney Dews, 36, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Dews was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on March 3;

Patrick Dews, 34, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Dews was sentenced to serve 20 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on March 3; and,

Kathy Black, 40, of Macon, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to facilitate a drug trafficking offense. Black was sentenced to serve 18 months in prison to be followed by one year of supervised release on March 3.

Court documents say that the federal and local law enforcement investigation into this case began when co-defendant Summerford was being investigated for heroin distribution. According to the release, it was discovered that Duffy was the source of the heroin supply thanks to a wiretap investigation.

On the way back from purchasing heroin from Duffy, Summerford’s van was stopped and the drugs were taken and tested at the DEA’s lab in February of 2019. The DEA confirmed the drugs to be 98.47 grams of heroin, which led law enforcement to search Duffy’s Sandy Springs home with a federal search warrant. During the search, law enforcement seized a Kel-Tec 9mm pistol, 9mm and .40 caliber ammo, a bag containing small drug baggies and a number of suspected narcotics.