Corey Boyer and Antonio Smith, both from Atlanta, have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in distributing methamphetamine and other drugs as members of the GoodFellas street gang. The sentencing follows a lengthy investigation into drug trafficking and firearms offenses connected to the gang’s activities across metro-Atlanta.
“Boyer and Smith operated a fortified trap house to fund the violent GoodFellas gang by dealing drugs and trafficking firearms, including machineguns,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Our office continues to closely coordinate with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to investigate, prosecute, and punish gang members who pose a clear and present danger to our community.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated: “Corey Boyer and Antonio Smith were key players in a dangerous drug trafficking operation that fueled gang activity and harmed our communities. Their sentencing sends a strong message that the FBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to dismantle drug networks and remove violent offenders from our streets to ensure the safety of metro-Atlanta residents.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka commented: “This case exemplifies the importance of collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. Together, we can effectively combat violent gang activity and ensure that those who engage in illegal activities face the consequences of their actions.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg’s office, GoodFellas is an Atlanta-based gang recruiting primarily within city neighborhoods as well as jails and prisons throughout Georgia. Members generate revenue through various criminal acts such as drug distribution, robbery, carjacking, fraud schemes, and firearms trafficking.
In spring 2024, authorities learned about ongoing drug sales at a west Atlanta apartment complex involving GoodFellas members. Surveillance revealed Boyer and Smith conducting hand-to-hand transactions at this location over several months.
A search warrant executed in August 2024 led officers into an apartment where Smith attempted escape by jumping out of a window but was apprehended carrying an unserialized machinegun. Inside the apartment with Boyer were six firearms—including suspected machinegun conversion devices—body armor, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, counterfeit currency exceeding $1,000; approximately 10 kilograms of marijuana; more than one kilogram each of methamphetamine and MDMA; plus smaller amounts of cocaine and psilocybin mushrooms. Investigators also determined that Smith had trafficked both firearms and conversion devices.
U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert sentenced Smith on August 28 to 14 years and two months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release after his May guilty plea for conspiracy related to methamphetamine distribution as well as firearm offenses.
Boyer received his sentence on July 23: twelve years six months’ imprisonment followed by five years’ supervised release after pleading guilty earlier this year for conspiracy charges tied to methamphetamine distribution.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this investigation with support from the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms & Explosives (ATF), Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, and Atlanta Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Lauren E. Renaud prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation designed to disrupt high-level criminal organizations using coordinated efforts between multiple agencies led by prosecutors nationwide.
More details about OCDETF are available at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Additionally, this case is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative focused on eliminating cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime—by combining resources from OCDETF programs alongside Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
For further information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office or visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga
