Jarvis Matthews has been convicted for leading a drug trafficking and money laundering operation from Calhoun State Prison in Georgia. Following a five-day trial, a jury found Matthews guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, five counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. At the time these federal crimes were committed, Matthews was already serving life sentences without parole for murder.
“Matthews audaciously used contraband cell phones to run a drug trafficking operation from his state prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Now, as a result of a diligent federal investigation and close coordination with state and local partners, this convicted murderer faces a substantial sentence in federal prison on top of his state sentence.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated: “Jarvis Matthews used the confines of a prison cell to orchestrate a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation, exploiting his family and the prison system to further his criminal enterprise. This case underscores the FBI’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations and holding accountable those who think they can operate beyond the reach of the law.”
Court documents show that while incarcerated at facilities operated by the Georgia Department of Corrections, Matthews directed drug distribution activities using contraband cellphones. He involved several family members—including his fiancée, girlfriends, nephew, and two adult sons—in distributing drugs and managing proceeds.
In early 2022, FBI agents identified one of Matthews’s social media accounts linked to multiple drug deals. In April 2022, agents conducted a controlled purchase involving two kilograms of methamphetamine through Matthews’s son Charvis Harris; Harris previously pleaded guilty in federal court for conspiracy related to controlled substances distribution. The FBI later obtained authorization for wiretaps on Matthews’s phone and installed surveillance cameras at one location used for drug transactions. These efforts led authorities to apprehend customers receiving drugs from Matthews’s sons. Testimony during trial revealed that Matthews coordinated distribution of large quantities of internationally sourced drugs in metro Atlanta and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Matthews now faces at least 25 years in federal prison—a sentence that will be served consecutively after his current state sentence. The court will determine the final sentence according to United States Sentencing Guidelines; no date has been set yet for sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with support from several agencies including the Georgia Department of Corrections; Georgia State Patrol; sheriff’s offices in Coweta County (Georgia), Dooly County (Georgia), Etowah County (Alabama), Newton County (Georgia); Fayetteville Police Department; Marshall County (Alabama) Drug Task Force; and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and John DeGenova are prosecuting this case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative using resources from multiple Justice Department programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods—to address illegal immigration issues as well as cartel-related crime across communities nationwide.
Additionally, this case falls under Homeland Security Task Force initiatives created by Executive Order 14159: Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF coordinates various federal agencies—including ATF, DEA, FBI—and numerous local partners in efforts against cartels and other organized crime groups within U.S borders.
