U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary | U.S. Department of Justice
A Georgia inmate and high-ranking member of the Ghostface Gangsters pleaded guilty in federal court to directing a methamphetamine trafficking conspiracy. Donald Jason Miles, also known as "Crash" or "Cocho," was involved in the operation along with another prisoner and a third co-defendant.
Miles, 39, from Valdosta State Prison and Forsyth, Georgia, admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on November 13. His co-defendants, Warren Frederick Courts, 38, from Rutledge State Prison and Marietta, Georgia, and Keeli Nycole Wallace, 34, from Covington, Georgia, pleaded guilty in August. They face sentences ranging from ten years to life imprisonment and fines up to $10 million. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner is overseeing the case.
U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary stated that "Ghostface Gangsters Jason Miles and Warren Courts were directing the distribution of large quantities of methamphetamine from two state prisons into Southwest Georgia." He emphasized the collaboration with law enforcement to address criminal organizations impacting community safety.
Robert J. Murphy of the DEA Atlanta Division remarked on Miles' continued drug activities despite incarceration: “This career criminal continued his drug trafficking activities despite being incarcerated.” Chris Hosey of GBI highlighted the gang's efforts to spread drugs across Georgia: “The Ghostface Gangsters have systematically worked to flood the communities of Georgia with dangerous drugs.”
Court documents reveal undercover GBI agents conducted a drug bust at Motel 6 in Albany on September 12, 2022. This was part of an investigation into prison-based drug trafficking. Agents found that Courts arranged a transaction while imprisoned and used Wallace as a courier for methamphetamine sourced from Mexico through Atlanta.
Wallace confessed to making multiple deliveries under Miles' direction before her arrest at Motel 6 where she was found with about 1,400 grams of methamphetamine. Investigations showed detailed communications between Miles, Courts, and Wallace regarding their operations.
Both Miles and Courts have significant criminal records related to drug offenses. The DEA and GBI led the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuting for the government.
