Mark A. Totten United States Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan
Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Andrew Birge, announced that Jason Demyers has been sentenced to 27 years in prison by United States District Judge Jane M. Beckering. Demyers, a resident of Arizona with connections to Lansing, Michigan, was identified as a leader in a multi-state drug trafficking conspiracy involving cocaine and methamphetamine.
Judge Beckering described Demyers as a "kingpin" in a "nationally orchestrated drug trafficking organization." His operation distributed large quantities of drugs across Detroit, Lansing, and Kalamazoo from August 2022 to July 2024. He coordinated shipments containing approximately ten kilograms of methamphetamine to Michigan and worked with couriers transporting cash and drugs between Michigan and California.
During the investigation, authorities seized ten kilograms of methamphetamine, eight kilograms of cocaine, real estate used for trafficking activities, and jewelry valued at $325,000. Fourteen defendants were charged; twelve pled guilty while two entered pretrial diversion programs. Sentences have been imposed on several individuals involved:
- Franchot Barnes: 324 months
- Jomo Grady: 210 months
- Evette Wallace: 110 months
- Jamar Goins: 78 months
- Lanise Moody: 40 months
- Jonathan Conner: 37 months
The remaining defendants will be sentenced in May and June 2025.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Lansing Police Department initiated the investigation into Demyers' organization in October 2022 alongside IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) and the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office.
Special Agent Charles Miller from IRS-CI emphasized the significance of this sentencing as a victory against drug traffickers. Lansing Police Chief Rob Backus highlighted the importance of collaboration among law enforcement agencies in dismantling such operations. Acting Special Agent Andrew Lawton from DEA Detroit Field Division reiterated their commitment to protecting communities from drug traffickers.
This case was part of Operation Cold as Ice under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which targets high-level criminal organizations through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local agencies.
Assistant United States Attorneys Stephanie M. Carowan and Austin J. Hakes prosecuted the case.
