Drug Dealers Sentenced in Valdosta

Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney, Middle District of Georgia, announces the sentencing of the following individuals before the Honorable Hugh Lawson, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Georgia, on March 26, 2012.

(1) Gary Lockett—age 36, of Enigma, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty on January 11, 2012 to violations of Title 21 United States Code, Section 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(B)(iii) and Title 18 United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i), possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. In his plea agreement, Lockett admitted that on February 3, 2011, agents executed a search warrant at his residence and found $195,098 in U.S. currency; a loaded Smith and Wesson 9mm; a Bush-Master .223 rifle model number XM15-E2S; two bags of marijuana; a steel hydraulic kilo press; two kilograms of cocaine; a partial cookie of crack cocaine; 27 boxes of ziptop baggies of various sizes; a microwaveable glass plate containing cocaine residue; a money counter; two sets of scales; 22 used gallon-size Ziploc bags containing cocaine residue; a vacuum sealer; and a loaded High Point 9mm pistol. Lockett was held responsible for 10.7 grams of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base or crack cocaine, 1916.8 grams of cocaine hydrochloride, and 17.2 grams of marijuana. Lockett was categorized a career offender based on earlier convictions in the Superior Court of Tift County, Georgia to sale of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Lockett was sentenced to serve 262 months in prison without parole, a period of five years of supervised release, and a $200 mandatory assessment fee.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

(2) Willie Foster—age 29, of Lakeland, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty on December 20, 2011 to a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), distribution of cocaine. In his plea agreement, Foster admitted that from October 9, 2009 through March 6, 2010, he sold less than 25 grams of cocaine and between 1.4 grams and 2.8 grams of crack cocaine to a confidential informant acting at the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Foster was sentenced to serve 21 months in prison without parole, a period of three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Lanier County Sheriff’s Office, and the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office.

(3) Adrian Whitaker—age 37, of Moultrie, Georgia, entered a plea of guilty on December 20, 2011 to a violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), distribution of cocaine. In his plea agreement, Whitaker admitted that from April 26, 2010 through July 8, 2010, he sold 30.37 grams of cocaine to a confidential informant acting at the direction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Whitaker was categorized a career offender based on his prior convictions for sale of cocaine and aggravated assault in the Superior Court of Colquitt County, Georgia.

Whitaker was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison without parole, a period of three years of supervised release, and a $100 mandatory assessment fee.

“As we continue to work with our state, local, and federal law enforcement partners, drug dealers will find no safe haven in the Middle District of Georgia,” said United States Attorney Michael Moore.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office.

All three cases were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Leah E. McEwen.

Inquiries regarding these cases should be directed to Sue McKinney, Public Affairs Specialist, United States Attorney’s Office at 478-752-3511.