The leader of the drug distribution organization pleaded guilty

MACON. A Macon man with a prior federal conviction who is the leader of an armed drug-trafficking organization based in central Georgia is facing up to life in prison for supplying large amounts of methamphetamine.

Julian Derwayne Coker, 43, known as “Redhead,” aka “Bread Red,” of Macon, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years to a maximum of life imprisonment. to prison followed by 10 years of supervised release and a $20 million fine.

The following co-defendants pleaded guilty and/or were sentenced:

— Jonathan Kelly McBride, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, faces a maximum of 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine;

— Rodney Sentell Hardin, aka “Rod,” 44, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine, faces 20 years in prison with three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine;

— Lisa Nanette McNear, 47, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, faces 20 years in prison with three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine;

— Erin Marie Jones, 49, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 48 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.

U.S. District Judge Mark Treadwell is presiding over the case. For those awaiting sentencing, the court will determine the date of the case hearing. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Armed drug-trafficking organizations promote violence and wreak havoc in our communities,” US Attorney Peter D. Leary said in a press release. “Our office is committed to disrupting criminal networks, reducing gun violence and creating safer communities.”

“The streets are safer and the people of Georgia can sleep a little easier knowing these armed drug dealers are locked up and their days of dealing drugs in our communities are over,” said Senior Resident Agent Robert Gibbs of the FBI’s Macon Atlanta office. “The FBI remains committed to fighting drug trafficking and removing armed, violent criminals from the streets through our collaborative efforts with our law enforcement partners.”

“Drug organizations are destroying society and poisoning our communities with violence and illegal drugs,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Their actions threaten the safety of the citizens of Georgia, and the GBI and our partners will not allow these organizations to go unchecked. This case exemplifies that commitment to protect Georgia’s communities and bring criminals to justice.”

According to court documents and court filings, the FBI began investigating Coker’s drug trafficking organization in 2022, which led to numerous controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Coker and Hardin and other investigative activities. The illegal drug sales occurred on February 13, 2022, and March 24, 2022, when Hardin sold methamphetamine, which he 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 that Coker supplied Hardin and others with methamphetamine. On November 15, 2022, agents executed several search warrants, including at Coker’s residence on Forsyth Road. Agents found pill and crystal methamphetamine hidden in a deep fryer and a bag in the kitchen.

The methamphetamine crystal weighed 11,166.01 grams and was 96% to 100% pure; the pressed pill of methamphetamine weighed 79.87 grams. Agents found a 9mm handgun inside a jacket embroidered with Coker’s nickname “Red Bread” and seized $13,891. In total, Coker’s DTO is responsible for the distribution of tens of kilograms of methamphetamine. Coker has a criminal record, including a prior conviction for distribution of a federally prohibited drug.

The case was investigated by the FBI and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joy Odom is prosecuting the case for the government.