Peter D. Leary, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia
A resident of Northeast Georgia has been sentenced to 22 years in prison for armed drug trafficking. Mandrell Antwoin Hull, 44, from Winterville, Georgia, received a sentence of 264 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release. U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III delivered the sentence on February 12. Hull had previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon on July 22, 2024. Federal parole is not available.
Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker emphasized the importance of accountability for repeat offenders who illegally arm themselves and violate laws designed to maintain order and safety. "Our dedicated federal prosecutorial team continues to work alongside our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to help ensure their efforts result in justice," she stated.
Robert Gibbs, Senior Supervisory Special Agent of FBI Atlanta's Athens office, highlighted the impact of partnerships between local and federal agencies in addressing violent repeat offenders like Hull. "This case is another example of how the FBI and our law enforcement partners are dedicated to keeping the streets of Georgia safe for everyone in our community," he said.
Court documents reveal that Hull was on supervised release for a previous federal conviction related to marijuana distribution when officers found him with illegal drugs and a firearm. On April 11, 2023, following suspicions from the United States Probation Office (USPO), agents searched Hull’s residence in Oglethorpe County, Georgia. They discovered cocaine, $32,826 in drug proceeds, and a loaded 9mm pistol. Hull's criminal record includes five prior felony convictions in Athens-Clarke County Superior Court and one felony conviction in Gwinnett County Superior Court.
The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strategy on May 26, 2021, to strengthen PSN by fostering trust within communities and supporting organizations that prevent violence.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI Athens Resident Agency Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force along with the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison prosecuted the case for the government.
