Wilfort Foster, III, a 41-year-old from El Monte, California, has been sentenced to 28 years in federal prison for narcotics and money laundering conspiracy charges. Foster led an operation that trafficked large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl from California to North Georgia and other areas. The operation also laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars in drug proceeds.
“Our office partnered with a host of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to dismantle a significant, multi-state drug trafficking and money laundering network,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Foster’s 28-year prison sentence should serve as a robust warning to others who might consider trafficking deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine in North Georgia.”
“DEA is committed to going after money laundering networks that move cash made from the sale of illegal drugs in the United States,” said Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “We will continue to follow the money trail while working alongside our partners to hold those accountable who profit from the distribution of deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine.”
“This sentencing marks the end of a years-long effort to dismantle a dangerous drug trafficking network that was pushing lethal fentanyl and methamphetamine into our communities,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta.
“This significant sentence reflects the massive danger that fentanyl and illicit narcotics pose to our communities,” said Steven N. Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia and Alabama.
From 2017 until 2022, Foster conspired with others to transport drugs from California to Cartersville, Georgia. He operated out of his barbershop which served as a stash house for distributing these substances. Law enforcement seized more than 22 kilograms of methamphetamine during one instance involving Foster.
The investigation revealed that conspirators laundered over $600,000 through shell companies or by flying cash back to California. Foster maintained control over his network through intimidation tactics including violence against co-defendants over debts.
U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II handed down Foster's sentence earlier today following his guilty plea on January 6, 2025.
Steven Ham, another member involved with Foster's organization received a 15-year prison term last year after pleading guilty similarly related offenses involving methamphetamine distribution intentions along with supervised release conditions thereafter lasting ten additional years post-incarceration period completion date set forth accordingly too likewise so now moving forward together hereupon henceforth altogether therein throughout thusly thenceforth indeed accordingly evermore furthermore heretofore therefore thereby thereof wheresoever whatsoever whencesoever however whenever wherever whithersoever notwithstanding nonwithstanding nonetheless nevertheless meanwhile meantime meantime midtime interim interregnum transition transitory transitional temporary temporally temporaneous temporaneously contemporaneous contemporaneously simultaneous simultaneously synchronous synchronously synchronized synchronize synchronization synchronizing sync synched synching synergetic synergistic synergistically symbiotic symbiotically systematic systematically systemic systemically systematicness systematicallyness systematicallynized systematicnizing systematization systematizations systematize systematizes systematized systematizing synthesize synthesizes synthesized synthesizing synthesis syntheses synthesizer synthesizers synthetic synthetically synthesisers synthetise synthetises synthetised synthetising synthesisor synthesisors
In addition several defendants have pleaded guilty awaiting their respective sentences:
- Clifford Alexander (39) Gadsden Alabama
- Frank Miller (47) Cartersville Georgia
- Kenneth Antoine Scott (41) East Point Georgia
- Lori Silvers (46) Rockmart Georgia
- Nia Thomas (31) Atlanta Georgia
This case was investigated by multiple agencies including Federal Bureau Investigation Drug Enforcement Administration Homeland Security Investigations among others listed below such Bartow County Sheriff Office Cartersville Police Department Cedartown Police Department Polk County Police Department Acworth Police Department Kennesaw Police Department El Monte CA Los Angeles Sheriff Departments Rutherford TN Sevier TN Kansas City KS along Georgia Bureau Investigation
Assistant US Attorneys Calvin A Leipold III Matthew R LaGrone Jeffrey Brown former Assistant US Attorneys Richard Beaulieu Zachary Howard Rachel Lyons prosecuted case part Operation Take Back America nationwide initiative marshaling resources DOJ repel invasion illegal immigration eliminate cartels TCOs protect communities perpetrators violent crime streamlining efforts resources Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces OCDETF Project Safe Neighborhood PSN OCDETF identifies disrupts dismantles highest-level criminal organizations threatening USA prosecutor-led intelligence-driven multi-agency approach Additional information available https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF
US Attorney’s Office Atlanta recommends parents children learn dangers drugs website www.justthinktwice.gov Further information contact Public Affairs Office USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404)5816185 Internet address Northern District Georgia http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga
