U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary | U.S. Department of Justice
Two Albany residents with prior felony convictions have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in armed methamphetamine trafficking in Southwest Georgia. The sentences were handed down this week in separate cases following investigations into the illegal activities.
Wallace Eric Strickland, 40, received a sentence of 286 months in prison followed by ten years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Louis Sands imposed the sentence on November 21 after Strickland pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. His case was identified as Case No. 1:23-CR-23-002.
In a separate case, Tanaka Grant, also known as “Knock-Off,” aged 39, was sentenced to 120 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner delivered the sentence on November 22 after Grant pleaded guilty to distribution of methamphetamine in Case No. 1:22-CR-40-001.
“Armed methamphetamine trafficking endangers the communities we serve and will not be tolerated by our office,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary, emphasizing interagency cooperation focused on accountability and community safety.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, described Wallace Strickland as a dangerous individual due to his distribution of drugs while armed and his continued criminal activities from prison.
ATF Assistant Special Agent Beau Kolodka highlighted the threat posed by convicted felons illegally possessing firearms and reiterated efforts to remove such individuals from communities.
“These sentences send a clear message that methamphetamine trafficking has no place in our communities,” stated GBI Director Chris Hosey, underscoring the commitment to holding criminals accountable.
Strickland's case involved an incident on February 24, 2022, when Americus Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop resulting in his arrest along with co-defendant Ryan Farr. A search revealed firearms and significant quantities of methamphetamine and other controlled substances. Further investigation uncovered Strickland’s connections with a Mexican drug cartel for drug distribution even during his imprisonment.
Strickland has previous felony convictions for obstruction of law enforcement and methamphetamine distribution and is associated with the Gangster Disciples criminal organization.
Co-defendants Niki Lynn Crabtree-Booth, Aryn Brittany Jones, and Ryan Daniel Farr have also faced charges related to Strickland's activities, with varying sentences already imposed or pending sentencing dates.
Grant’s case involved undercover operations where agents used a confidential informant to purchase approximately 100 grams of methamphetamine from him over two occasions in May and July 2022. He was arrested at an Albany inn carrying drugs and a loaded Glock handgun.
Both cases were investigated by multiple agencies including DEA, GBI, APD, and ATF under respective prosecutions led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Matt Redavid (Strickland case) and Veronica Hansis (Grant case).
