Leader of Middle Georgia meth trafficking ring sentenced to 28 years in prison

Julian Derwayne Coker, 44, was sentenced to 336 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine on April 2.

April 2, 2025

Monica Diaz-Meek,

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – The leader of an armed drug trafficking organization in Middle Georgia was sentenced Tuesday for supplying large quantities of methamphetamine to the community, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

Julian Derwayne Coker, 44, was sentenced to 336 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release and a $10,000 fine on April 2. Coker, also known as “Red” or “Bread Red,” pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 22, 2024.

“Drug trafficking organizations disrupt society and poison our communities with violence and illegal drugs,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Their actions threaten the safety of the citizens of Georgia, and the GBI and our partners will not allow these organizations to go unchecked. This case is an example of this commitment to protect the communities of Georgia and hold criminals accountable.”

The following co-defendants have been sentenced:

Rodney Sentell Hardin, 45, of Roberta, Georgia, was sentenced to 135 months in prison on January 8 after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on October 9, 2024.
Lisa Nanette McNeer, 48, of Gray, Georgia, was sentenced to 151 months in prison on January 8 after pleading guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on October 22, 2024.
Cedric Wimbush, 47, of Macon, was sentenced to 106 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 25, 2024.
Jonathan Kelly McBride, 49, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced to 96 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 23, 2024.
Melvin Bates, 78, of Macon, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on November 19, 2024.
Erin Marie Jones, 45, of Forsyth, Georgia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison on September 5, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 5, 2024.
Fred Roberts, 66, of Macon, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 19, 2024.
Carr Dodson, 51, of Macon, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on March 5 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 30, 2024.

The following co-defendants have pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 13:

Johnathan Pieri, 31, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 19, 2024.
Mitchell Robinson, 53, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on December 11, 2024.
Vanessa Wright, 37, of Perry, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on November 19, 2024.

“Armed drug trafficking organizations endanger the safety of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case demonstrates the collaboration between law enforcement at all levels to dismantle criminal organizations and hold their members accountable.”

The FBI began investigating Coker’s drug trafficking organization (DTO) in 2022, which led to multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Coker and Hardin, along with other investigative actions. Sales of illegal drugs took place on February 13, 2022, and March 24, 2022, with Hardin selling methamphetamine obtained from Coker to a confidential source.

Coker sold methamphetamine to a confidential source five times between June and September 2022 at locations in Macon. Wiretaps revealed that Coker was supplying methamphetamine to Hardin and other individuals.

Agents executed multiple search warrants on November 15, 2022, including at Coker’s residence on Forsyth Road. Agents found methamphetamine in both pill and crystal forms stashed in an air fryer and a bag in the kitchen. The crystal methamphetamine weighed 11,166.01 grams and ranged in purity from 96% to 100%. The pressed pill methamphetamine weighed 79.87 grams. Agents also found a 9mm pistol inside a jacket embroidered with Coker’s alias “Bread Red” and seized $13,891.

Coker’s DTO is responsible for the distribution of dozens of kilograms of methamphetamine. Coker has a criminal history, including a prior federal controlled substance distribution conviction.

“The streets are safer, and Georgians can sleep a little easier knowing that the leader of this drug trafficking organization is locked up and his days of peddling drugs in our community are over,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI remains committed to combatting drug trafficking and taking armed violent criminals off the streets through joint efforts with our law enforcement partners.”