SAVANNAH, GA - United States Attorney Edward J. Tarver today announced the successful completion of a joint federal and state anti-gang/violent crime initiative dubbed “Operation Ruffian," which targeted offenders in the Cuyler-Brownsville and Carver Heights neighborhoods of Savannah. The investigation was spearheaded by the Savannah Area Regional Gun Enforcement Task Force (SARGE) which was jointly led by the ATF and the Savannah Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD).
A total of 40 individuals were targeted for prosecution in the operation. 23 of these defendants are being prosecuted by the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. The following 17 individuals were convicted and sentenced in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia:
Samuel A. Graham, 36, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. Graham was sentenced on Oct. 12, 2011 to 151 months imprisonment.
Antwan L. Cross, 35, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Cross was sentenced on July 27, 2011 to 60 months imprisonment.
Brian R. Fallon, Jr., 25, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of possessing an unregistered firearm. Fallon was sentenced on Nov. 18, 2011 to 20 months imprisonment.
Johnny J. Early, 34, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking and for possessing a firearm as a felon. Early was sentenced on May 9, 2012 to 50 months imprisonment.
Kewan G. Roberson, 23, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking and for possessing a firearm as a felon. Roberson was sentenced on May 23, 2012 to 49 months imprisonment.
Randy M. Lewis, 25, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking and for possessing a firearm as a felon. Lewis was sentenced on May 7, 2012 to 54 months imprisonment.
Marco O. Washington, 34, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. Washington was sentenced on March 22, 2013 to 60 months imprisonment.
Leearnell J. White, Jr., a.k.a. “Scrootney," 31, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. White was sentenced on November 7, 2012 to 48 months imprisonment.
Edward B. Cone, 33, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of possessing a firearm as a felon. Cone was sentenced on Oct. 17, 2012 to 66 months imprisonment.
Linwood A. Brown, 53, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. Brown was sentenced on Nov. 28, 2012 to 114 months imprisonment.
Eric L. McPherson, 41, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. McPherson was sentenced on Oct. 31, 2012 to 160 months imprisonment.
Dominique A. Bostic, 19, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking and a related firearm offense. Bostic was sentenced on Oct. 12, 2011 to 151 months imprisonment.
Willie L. Smith, 30, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking and for possessing a firearm as a felon. Smith was sentenced on April 11, 2013 to 72 months imprisonment.
Edward D. Singleton, 31, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of drug trafficking. Singleton was sentenced on May 13, 2013 to 151 months imprisonment.
Michael P. Griffin, 23, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of two separate federal firearm offenses. Griffin was sentenced on July 24, 2013 to 154 months imprisonment.
Travis L. Young, 19, of Savannah, Georgia was convicted of two separate federal firearm offenses. Young was sentenced on July 25, 2013 to 180 months imprisonment.
Cedric Reynolds, 24, of Savannah, Georgia for possessing a firearm as a prohibited person. Reynolds was sentenced on June 21, 2013 to 188 months imprisonment.
According to statistics kept by the SCMPD and evidence presented during numerous guilty plea and sentencing hearings, the individuals charged in the course of this operation were responsible for distributing cocaine and other street drugs valued at over $188,000. During the operation, investigators executed 14 search warrants and recovered 43 firearms, including 11 stolen firearms, which were used in the commission of crimes.
United States Attorney Tarver made several observations about the significance of the operation: “The persons indicted in this operation were responsible for a consistent pattern of drug dealing and firearms violations in these Savannah neighborhoods. The criminal acts which they engaged in made it difficult and dangerous for law-abiding residents to go about their daily routines. As a result of this investigation, 40 offenders have been removed from the two neighborhoods, including 17 convicted of federal offenses in the United States District Court. The disruption of two local gangs and the incarceration of numerous dangerous criminals should send a firm message to those who would plague our neighborhoods that federal, state, and local authorities are committed to keeping our streets safe from violent drug dealers and gun traffickers."
The investigative agencies which took part in Operation Ruffian included SCMPD’s Central Precinct Crime Suppression Unit, the Savannah Area Regional Intelligence Center, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, K9 units of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office and SCMPD, the SCMPD S.W.A.T. team, the United States Marshal’s Service, the FBI, and the Chatham County District Attorney’s Office. The operation was led by ATF Special Agent Toby Taylor and SCMPD Detective Kevin Grogan.
The cases presented in United States District Court were prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Karl Knoche, Shane Mayes, Jennifer Solari, and Greg Gilluly. For additional information, please contact First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
