Savannah Man Sentenced to Nearly 15 Years for Leading Drug Trafficking Network

Kenyona Pinckney, 33, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced to 178 months (14 years, 10 months) in federal prison for his role as a leader in a large drug trafficking conspiracy. Pinckney pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Distribute Cocaine, Methamphetamine, and Marijuana. The sentence will be served consecutively to his current state prison sentence for a separate conviction related to trafficking methamphetamine. Upon completion of his prison term, Pinckney will also face three years of supervised release.

U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg stated, “The conspiracy identified in this investigation was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of illegal drugs in the greater Savannah area and beyond. This sentence is a credit to the outstanding investigative work of our law enforcement partners.”

Pinckney, who was incarcerated at the Georgia Department of Corrections Transition Center in Columbus, Georgia, used contraband cell phones to orchestrate shipments of cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana into the Savannah area, including Chatham, Bulloch, Effingham, and Laurens counties. Investigators first became aware of the conspiracy when the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) discovered that drugs coming into Virginia were coordinated by one of Pinckney’s co-conspirators in Savannah.

Pinckney’s criminal activities spanned a significant time period and involved numerous co-conspirators. In January 2024, Pinckney, along with 12 other individuals, was indicted as part of the conspiracy. Four of those co-defendants have been sentenced after pleading guilty, two have entered guilty pleas and are awaiting sentencing, and five remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, commented, “Whether drug dealers operate out on the street or behind bars, the Drug Enforcement Administration stands ready to deliver justice.”

The investigation also involved the Georgia Ports Authority Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and several local law enforcement agencies, including the Chatham Savannah Counter Narcotics Team and the Georgia State Patrol.

Andrea Coffey, Acting Area Port Director for CBP Savannah, stated, “Customs and Border Protection officers remain committed to working with our valued local, state, and federal partners to keep dangerous drugs from reaching our community’s streets and protecting the residents of Georgia.”

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) spearheaded the investigation, which uses a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach to disrupt and dismantle criminal organizations that threaten public safety.

The case was prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Z. Spitulnik and Marcela C. Mateo.