The leader of an armed drug trafficking organization in Middle Georgia was sentenced on Tuesday for distributing significant amounts of methamphetamine to the community, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.
Julian Derwayne Coker, 44, was sentenced to 336 months in prison, ten years of supervised release, and a $10,000 fine on April 2. On October 22, 2024, Coker, also known as “Red” or “Bread Red,” pleaded guilty to one count of possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute.
“Drug trafficking organizations disrupt society and poison 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 is an example of this commitment to protect the communities of Georgia and hold criminals accountable.”
The following co-defendants were sentenced:
- Rodney Sentell Hardin, 45, of Roberta, Georgia, was sentenced to 135 months in prison on January 8 after pleading guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on October 9, 2024.
- Lisa Nanette McNeer, 48, of Gray, Georgia, was sentenced to 151 months in prison on January 8 after pleading guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on October 22, 2024.
- Cedric Wimbush, 47, of Macon, was sentenced to 106 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 25, 2024.
- Jonathan Kelly McBride, 49, of Warner Robins, Georgia, was sentenced to 96 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 23, 2024.
- Melvin Bates, 78, of Macon, was sentenced to 60 months in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on November 19, 2024.
- Erin Marie Jones, 45, of Forsyth, Georgia, was sentenced to 48 months in prison on September 5, 2024, after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on June 5, 2024.
- Fred Roberts, 66, of Macon, was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison on February 26 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 19, 2024.
- Carr Dodson, 51, of Macon, was sentenced to 12 months in prison on March 5 after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on October 30, 2024.
The following co-defendants pleaded guilty and will be sentenced on May 13th:
- Johnathan Pieri, 31, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 19, 2024.
- Mitchell Robinson, 53, of Macon, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on December 11, 2024.
- Vanessa Wright, 37, of Perry, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on November 19, 2024.
“Armed drug trafficking organizations endanger the safety of our communities,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “This case demonstrates the collaboration between law enforcement at all levels to dismantle criminal organizations and hold their members accountable.”
The FBI began investigating Coker’s drug trafficking organization (DTO) in 2022, resulting in repeated controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Coker and Hardin, as well as other investigative measures. Sales of illegal substances occurred on February 13, 2022, and March 24, 2022, with Hardin selling methamphetamine received from Coker to an anonymous source.
Coker sold methamphetamine to a confidential source five times between June and September 2022, all in Macon. Wiretaps indicated that Coker was distributing methamphetamine to Hardin and others.
On November 15, 2022, agents executed various search warrants, including one at Coker’s home on Forsyth Road. Agents discovered methamphetamine pills and crystals concealed in an air fryer and a kitchen bag. The crystal methamphetamine weighed 11,166.01 grams and varied in purity from 96% to 100%. The pressed pill of methamphetamine weighed 79.87 grams. Agents also discovered a 9mm weapon inside a jacket embroidered with Coker’s nickname “Bread Red” and seized $13,891.
Coker’s DTO distributes dozens of kilograms of methamphetamine. Coker has a criminal record, which includes a previous federal controlled substance distribution conviction.
“The streets are safer, and Georgians can sleep a little easier knowing that the leader of this drug trafficking organization is locked up and his days of peddling drugs in our community are over,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “The FBI remains committed to combatting drug trafficking and taking armed violent criminals off the streets through joint efforts with our law enforcement partners.”
