Macon Drug Trafficker Pleads Guilty, Faces Life Sentence for Methamphetamine Distribution
A Macon resident with a prior federal conviction and leader of an armed drug trafficking organization in Middle Georgia faces a maximum of life in prison for supplying large quantities of methamphetamine. Julian Derwayne Coker, also known as “Red” or “Bread Red,” 43, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 22. He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years, with a maximum of life in prison, followed by ten years of supervised release and a $20 million fine.
Several co-defendants have also pleaded guilty and/or been sentenced in connection with the case:
- Jonathan Kelly McBride, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 23 and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
- Rodney Sentell Hardin, 44, of Macon, pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine on October 9 and faces 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
- Lisa Nanette McNeer, 47, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on October 22 and faces 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine.
- Erin Marie Jones, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 5 and was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release on September 5.
U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell is presiding over the case. Sentencing dates for those awaiting hearings will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Armed drug trafficking organizations promote violence and sow chaos in our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Our office is committed to disrupting criminal networks, reducing gun violence, and building safer communities.”
FBI Atlanta’s Macon office Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Robert Gibbs added, “The streets are safer, and Georgians can sleep a little easier knowing that these armed drug dealers are locked up and their days of peddling drugs in our communities are over.”
According to court documents, the FBI began investigating Coker’s drug trafficking organization (DTO) in 2022, leading to multiple controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Coker and Hardin. Sales occurred on February 13 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 in Macon.
Wiretaps revealed Coker was supplying methamphetamine to Hardin and others. Multiple search warrants executed on November 15, 2022, including at Coker’s residence, uncovered methamphetamine in both pill and crystal forms hidden in an air fryer and a bag in the kitchen. The crystal methamphetamine weighed over 11 kilograms, with purity ranging from 96% to 100%, while the pressed pill methamphetamine weighed nearly 80 grams. A 9mm pistol was found in a jacket with Coker’s alias, along with nearly $14,000 in cash. Coker’s DTO is responsible for distributing dozens of kilograms of methamphetamine.
