Georgia Drug Trafficking Ring Dismantled in Multi-County Raid

A major drug trafficking operation was disrupted across several counties in Southwest Georgia as law enforcement executed arrest warrants and charged multiple individuals involved in methamphetamine and controlled substance distribution. The operation, led by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and several local agencies, resulted in the arrest of the following individuals:

Austin Ray Johns, 43, of Colquitt, GA, charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Brandy Leigh Temples, 45, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and 3 counts of Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine.
Brittany Shanay Richardson, 33, of Camilla, GA, charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine.
Craig Willingham, 34, of Pelham, GA, charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine.
James David Gowan, 41, of Colquitt, GA, charged with Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute.
Michael Dupree, 43, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Use of a Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony involving controlled substances.
Phillip Charles Scott, 39, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Use of a Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony Involving Controlled Substances.
Savannah Morgan Nelson, 25, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Use of a Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony.
Stephen Wayne Gould, 52, of Brinson, GA, charged with Use of a Communication Facility in Commission of a Felony.
Matthew Barrentine, of Pelham, GA, charged with Use of a Communications Facility in Commission of a Felony. He is currently in custody at the Berrien County Jail.

Earlier arrests in the investigation included:

Corena Austin, 29, of Albany, GA, charged with Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine, Marijuana, and other illegal drugs.
Marquez Antron Marcus, 37, of Baconton, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine and Conspiracy to Traffic Methamphetamine.
Mary Elizabeth Phillips, 40, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine.
Roderick Brandon Haire, 38, of Donalsonville, GA, charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine.
Jeffery Brian Richardson, 40, of Pelham, GA, charged with Possession and Trafficking of Methamphetamine.

Authorities are still searching for Kervin Bernard Harrison, 35, of Thomasville, Jody Benton, 49, of Ochlocknee, and David Lee Bentley, 47, of Pelham, in connection with the drug trafficking investigation.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), the Albany Dougherty County Drug Unit (ADDU), the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, the Camilla Police Department, and the Mitchell County Sheriff’s Office made multiple arrests in a joint investigation into a conspiracy to traffic drugs throughout multiple counties in Southwest Georgia.

Over the course of the 9-month investigation, law enforcement agencies seized approximately 778 grams of suspected methamphetamine and 9,000 grams of suspected marijuana.

The Southwestern Drug Enforcement Office needs your help. If you have information related to drug activity or know the current whereabouts of Matthew Barrentine, Kervin Bernard Harrison, Jody Benton, or David Lee Bentley, you are encouraged to call the Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office at 229-420-1254 or your local law enforcement agency with any information pertaining to their whereabouts.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

This investigation was conducted to make an impact on the current street level drug distribution and violent crime within Southwest Georgia and to promote a safer place for productive citizens.

The Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office covers a 42-county area in southwest Georgia.