Peter D. Leary, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia
A Tifton man, Travarious Deshawn Mike, 29, has pleaded guilty to two counts of methamphetamine distribution. The plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner on February 3. Mike faces a potential sentence of up to 40 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine. A sentencing date is yet to be set.
Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker commented on the case: “The defendant was transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from an Atlanta source into the Tifton community. Even after his initial arrest, he willfully continued to violate the law and traffic dangerous drugs into Southwest Georgia.” Booker emphasized the collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement in addressing repeat offenders in the Middle District of Georgia.
GBI Director Chris Hosey highlighted the significance of this investigation: “This investigation resulting in the seizure of meth, heroin and firearms is a clear reminder of the dangerous networks we continue to dismantle.”
Court documents reveal that GBI agents recorded Mike during a controlled buy on August 15, 2022. Later that month, authorities tracked him traveling from Tifton to Atlanta and back with suspected drug activity at Mexican restaurants along the way. A traffic stop by Crisp County Sheriff's Office led to finding heroin in his vehicle.
Further investigations involved surveillance by Tifton Police Department at Mike's residence. This resulted in seizing over eight kilograms of methamphetamine from a courier connected to Mike's operation. Additional searches uncovered firearms and more narcotics linked to Mike.
On June 5, 2024, Monroe County Sheriff's Office attempted a traffic stop on Mike for a violation but he fled at high speeds before crashing his vehicle. During this pursuit, he discarded approximately one pound of methamphetamine out of his car window.
The investigation was conducted by multiple agencies including GBI, DEA, ATF among others with Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuting.
