COLUMBUS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Rodney Burke, age 56, of Mauk, Georgia, was found guilty by a jury this afternoon of one count of Possession With Intent to Distribute more than 50 grams of Methamphetamine, and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Mr. Burke’s conviction after a two-day trial on both counts in his indictment follows a multi-agency undercover drug surveillance operation involving the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
“Dangerous career criminals will not be tolerated in the Middle District of Georgia," said United States Attorney Charles E. Peeler. “Mr. Burke has a lengthy criminal record, and his conviction proves that our citizen jurors also do not tolerate behavior that endangers the safety of our communities in Middle Georgia. Thanks to the dedicated work of our law enforcement agencies, an armed career criminal is off the streets tonight."
For Count One, Mr. Burke faces a mandatory minimum of 10 years, up to life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $8 million, plus a supervised release of at least 8 years. Count One is enhanced because of Mr. Burke’s prior convictions for felony drug trafficking offenses. For Count Two, Mr. Burke faces a mandatory 15 years, up to life imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000 and up to 3 years of supervised release. Count Two is enhanced because Mr. Burke is considered an Armed Career Criminal due to a combination of at least three prior convictions for crimes of violence and/or serious drug offenses.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been historically successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority. In October 2017, as part of a series of actions to address this crime trend, Attorney General Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to develop a district crime reduction strategy that incorporates the lessons learned since PSN launched in 2001.
This case was investigated by the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Crawford Seals is prosecuting the case for the Government.
Questions regarding this case should be addressed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, at
478-731-1824 or pam.lightsey@usdoj.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
