Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that on March 15, 2018, Senior United States District Court Judge Hugh Lawson sentenced Burt Denson, age 41, of Quitman, GA, to 185 months imprisonment for two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine. Mr. Denson pled guilty to the offense on Oct. 30, 2017.
In January 2016, Brooks County Sheriff’s Office deputies received information that cocaine was being sold from Mr. Denson’s residence. The information was consistent with prior reports of drug activity at the residence. A search warrant was obtained and executed on Jan. 17, 2016. Brooks County drug investigators seized several bags of cocaine and other items consistent with drug distribution including kilogram-sized packaging, a large number of zip-lock baggies and electronic scales containing cocaine residue. A second search warrant was executed at Mr. Denson’s residence on Dec. 1, 2016. Again, the investigators seized cocaine, as well as other controlled substances, and similar items consistent with drug distribution.
“Most of the time when we speak of ‘repeat drug offenders’ we are talking about defendants with prior convictions, but in Mr. Denson’s case we are talking about someone dealing drugs so regularly that he got caught a second time before he could be prosecuted for the first time," said United States Attorney Peeler. “Mr. Denson richly deserves the sentence imposed on him today, as incarceration is obviously the only thing that will stop him from selling illegal drugs."
DEA Special Agent in Charge, Atlanta Field division, states that this sends a strong signal that DEA, along with our local Law Enforcement partners, continue to work in our communities to stop illegal drug operations.
This case was investigated by the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. McCullers prosecuted the case on behalf of 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
