Three Guilty in Cook County Armed Drug Trafficking Case; Face Life Sentences

ADEL, GA — Three members of a Cook County-based armed drug trafficking organization have been found guilty on multiple federal drug and firearm charges following a trial that concluded Thursday, July 24, 2025. The trial was the second federal prosecution involving members of the organization, which was the subject of a multi-agency investigation.

Calvin James Smith, Jr., 36, of Tifton, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, distribution of methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison.

Eddie Lee Hardley, 36, of Adel, was found guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and also faces up to life in prison.

Yardley Payne, 57, of Adel, was found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a firearm by a drug user. Payne faces a maximum of 15 years in prison for each firearms charge.

The trial was presided over by Senior U.S. District Judge W. Louis Sands. Sentencing dates will be scheduled at a later time. There is no parole in the federal system.

The investigation into the drug trafficking organization began in December 2020 and was led by the FBI. According to court documents and trial testimony, the group, led by co-conspirator Calvin James Smith, Sr., 56, also known as “Rollo,” operated throughout Adel and surrounding areas. Smith, Sr. was previously found guilty in January 2025 of all 23 charges he faced in a related 44-count indictment.

On November 10, 2022, law enforcement agents executed search warrants at 13 locations linked to the organization. The raids resulted in the seizure of over five kilograms of pure methamphetamine, more than ten pounds of marijuana, several hundred grams of crack cocaine and cocaine, fentanyl, and 15 firearms.

The investigation was part of Operation Take Back America, a Department of Justice initiative to dismantle drug trafficking and transnational criminal organizations through the combined efforts of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Daniels, with assistance from Criminal Chief Leah McEwen and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison.

Agencies involved in the investigation included the FBI, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, DEA, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office, Adel Police Department, Hahira Police Department, and Moultrie Police Department.