Former Correctional Officer Cadet Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Smuggle 100% Pure Meth into Georgia Prison

MACON, Ga. – A former correctional officer cadet has pleaded guilty in federal court to attempting to smuggle a large quantity of methamphetamine into Dooly State Prison.

Julius Deshawn Williams Jr., 29, of Bonaire, Georgia, admitted to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge C. Ashley Royal on December 1. Williams faces a maximum sentence of life imprisonment; a sentencing date will be scheduled. There is no parole in the federal system.

Williams, a cadet undergoing training to become a correctional officer at Dooly State Prison, attempted to bring 640 grams of 100% pure methamphetamine to an inmate. During a security check on June 24, 2024, Georgia Department of Corrections (GDC) officers discovered four packages of methamphetamine hidden in Williams’ pants. A subsequent search of his vehicle revealed four additional packages and a pistol.

U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes emphasized the dangers of drugs inside correctional facilities, stating, “Highly addictive, illegal drugs inside a prison only increase the potential for chaos and violence for everyone on the inside, and can never be tolerated.”

GDC Commissioner Tyrone Oliver noted the threat methamphetamine poses to prison security, saying, “Contraband in the hands of inmates gives them the ability to continue their criminal enterprise…justice has been served on this individual for his role in jeopardizing the safe and secure operations of our facilities.”

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, added, “This guilty plea is the result of collaboration across agencies. DEA will continue to stand with our federal, state, and local partners to ensure that anyone attempting to introduce dangerous drugs into a prison faces the full force of the law.”

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Department of Corrections. Assistant U.S. Attorney Travis Lynes is prosecuting the case.