Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Bradford Harden, aged 44, Kristopher Carver, aged 27, and Kayla Price, aged 26, were sentenced on March 31, 2015 by the Honorable Clay D. Land, Chief U.S. District Court Judge, in Columbus, Georgia. All three reside in Columbus, Georgia.
Mr. Carver pled guilty on December 8, 2014, to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute Methamphetamine and possession of a firearm while committing a drug trafficking crime. He received a sentence of 15 years (190 months) in prison.
Ms. Price entered a plea of guilty to possession with intent to distribute Methamphetamine on December 8, 2014. The Court sentenced her to 100 months in prison.
As a part of their plea agreements, Mr. Carver and Ms. Price admitted that on June 6, 2013, members of the Columbus Police Department’s Special Operations Unit received a tip that the pair was selling Methamphetamine from an extended stay hotel room in Columbus. Subsequent surveillance of the hotel revealed Mr. Carver and Ms. Price entering the hotel room carrying a silver and black case. Other individuals were then observed coming to and going from the room after staying for only a short time. One individual was stopped and arrested for possession of Methamphetamine. A search of the hotel room produced 3 firearms, a digital scale, a glass smoking device, numerous cell phones, residual amounts of suspected Methamphetamine and assorted documents containing what appeared to be drug transactions. The silver and black case was found in a vehicle in which Ms. Price attempted to leave the scene. It contained $1000 in cash, an assortment of pills, and approximately 165 grams of suspected Methamphetamine. A test conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) confirmed the substance to be Methamphetamine (a.k.a., “ice") with a purity of 98.8%. Mr. Harden was arrested during this investigation with 28.5 grams of suspected Methamphetamine in his pocket that was later tested by the DEA laboratory and confirmed to be positive for Methamphetamine with a purity of 95.8%.
Mr. Harden entered a guilty plea on December 8, 2014, to a superseding information alleging possession of Methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm while committing a drug trafficking crime. He was sentenced to serve 130 months in federal prison.
While out on bond for the June 6, 2013, offense detailed above, law enforcement received a tip that Mr. Harden was selling Methamphetamine. Further investigation ultimately developed sufficient probable cause for a search of his residence.
A small amount of Methamphetamine was found on Mr. Harden’s person. The search of the residence discovered a safe that contained 41 grams of suspected Methamphetamine and a pistol. Mr. Harden admitted to owning the safe and its contents. This substance was tested by the DEA lab and confirmed to be positive for Methamphetamine (a.k.a. “ice") with a purity of 100%.
“Methamphetamine use and distribution continue to plague many areas in the Middle District of Georgia. We will continue to work with our local partners, like the Columbus Police, to stop the supply of this poison into our communities. The dealers will find that there is no real customer base in federal prison," said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.
“ATF’s involvement in securing these sentences is a prime example of the successful use of federal laws to confront, engage and eliminate criminal activity," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Carl Walker. “Criminals must understand that there are serious repercussions for illegal trafficking of narcotics and illegal possession of firearms and that ATF in concert with our Federal and local law enforcement partners will contribute all necessary time and effort to ensure criminals are brought to justice."
The cases were investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbus Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Crawford Seals prosecuted the case for the Government.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
