A Lee County resident has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine in Southwest Georgia and continuing his criminal activity while incarcerated. Luis Jose Vanga, 49, of Leesburg, Georgia, received a sentence of 300 months in prison followed by six years of supervised release from Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on August 5, 2025. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
“Luis Vanga and his associates have been key figures in distributing methamphetamine in Leesburg. With his conviction, a major drug network that fueled addiction and caused death has been dismantled,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Armed drug traffickers in Southwest Georgia and throughout the Middle District of Georgia should be aware that local, state and federal law enforcement are working to find you and ensure you are held accountable for crimes that harm our communities.”
Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, stated: “This 25-year sentence reflects the seriousness of methamphetamine trafficking tied to armed criminal activity. When individuals choose to flood our communities with dangerous drugs and use violence to protect their profits, they will be held fully accountable. DEA remains committed to dismantling these networks and removing those who pose a direct threat to public safety.”
GBI Director Chris Hosey commented: “This sentence sends a clear message that methamphetamine trafficking and the violence that results will not be tolerated in Georgia. The GBI remains committed to working alongside our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to dismantle drug networks that endanger our communities. We will hold those responsible fully accountable, whether they operate on the streets or attempt to continue their crimes from behind prison walls.”
Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals added: “This sentencing marks the conclusion of multiple investigations into the bulk distribution of controlled substances by several individuals operating throughout the greater Lee County area, which have resulted in lengthy federal prison sentences for every defendant involved. Let these sentences serve as a warning to anyone foolish enough to consider following in their footsteps. We encourage anyone engaged in criminal activity to stay out of, or get out of, Lee County.”
According to court documents and statements referenced during proceedings, Vanga was apprehended by GBI agents on May 19, 2022 as part of an investigation into armed drug trafficking within Lee County. This same operation led previously to the conviction of Shaun Anthony Akins from Leesburg; Akins is currently serving a twelve-year federal sentence for distributing methamphetamine (details at https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/lee-county-man-sentenced-12-years-prison-distributing-meth).
Vanga was convicted at the state level for illegal drug distribution but continued orchestrating large-scale meth sales while incarcerated at a Georgia prison through coordination with Larry Roger Sparks Jr., based in Albany. As part of this ongoing investigation into prison-based distribution networks, Sparks Jr. received a forty-year federal sentence (more information at https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdga/pr/georgia-man-sentenced-40-years-prison-armed-fentanyl-trafficking).
On May 21, 2025 authorities executed a search warrant at Vanga’s residence where they found visible evidence including methamphetamine supplies—such as packaging materials and digital scales—as well as a loaded semiautomatic pistol.
Vanga has previous convictions related to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine along with prior offenses involving cocaine and hydrocodone.
The case forms part of Operation Take Back America—a Department of Justice initiative focused on combatting illegal immigration activities by cartels or transnational organizations—and leverages resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) alongside Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), GBI and Lee County Sheriff’s Office; Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case.
