Ten people from Columbus, Georgia, have been sentenced for their involvement in an armed drug trafficking operation dismantled by Operation Sweet Silence. The investigation, led by multiple agencies, resulted in the seizure of firearms and significant amounts of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana.
U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes commented on the case: “This case represents the comprehensive efforts being deployed to target and dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations and hold their members accountable in Columbus and across the Middle District of Georgia. Prosecutors and law enforcement at every level are working together to combat armed trafficking organizations that threaten our community.”
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said, “These defendants operated an armed drug trafficking network that distributed large quantities of highly addictive drugs in Columbus, Georgia. Methamphetamine and cocaine destroy lives, fracture families, fuel violence and are a scourge in our communities. The Justice Department will continue holding those who engage in the armed drug trade to account and ensure safety for our law-abiding citizens and families.”
Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Georgia, stated: “These ten defendants were key players in an armed drug trafficking organization that poisoned our community with dangerous substances like methamphetamine and cocaine. The sentences imposed reflect the severe consequences for those who choose to fuel this deadly trade. The FBI remains committed to holding accountable those who engage in these violent criminal activities and ensuring the safety of our communities.”
Jae W. Chung from the DEA Atlanta Field Division added: “Drug trafficking organizations don’t just deal drugs—they bring guns, violence and instability into our neighborhoods. The significant prison sentences imposed today reflect the serious danger these defendants posed and the harm caused by flooding our communities with methamphetamine, cocaine, and other illicit drugs.”
Muscogee County Sheriff Greg Countryman remarked: "We won't stop until the criminal activity stops. We will continue to place pressure on criminal enterprises to put them out of business,” adding that cooperation between law enforcement partners has ensured one defendant will be "out of business for a long time."
Court records identify Tommie Mullins Jr., affiliated with the Zohannon street gang, as leader of this operation which distributed large quantities of narcotics throughout Columbus.
Sentences handed down include:
- Tommie Mullins Jr., 31: 20 years
- Trenton Clemons, 48: 25 years
- Anthony Champion, 46: seven years three months
- Corey Turner, 33: 20 years
- Adrian Palmer, 25: 14 years
- Trenton Thomas, 25: eleven years three months
- Javonta Paden, 25: five years eleven months
- Christopher Hill, 36: two years
- Adrian Pleasants, 29: one year eight months
- Darius Jenkins, 24: one year six months
The investigation used wiretaps on suspects’ phones along with surveillance tactics confirming that many sales originated from Mullins’s Cove Circle residence.
On March 18th, 2023 agents intercepted calls arranging narcotics sales; similar patterns continued as members visited Cove Circle before selling drugs elsewhere under direction from leaders.
Wiretaps captured instructions for a half-kilogram sale between Hill and Champion; another incident showed disputes over quantity during transactions.
Further surveillance documented four defendants flying to Seattle to purchase marijuana; after returning with luggage containing over two hundred pounds seized at the airport thanks to a K9 alert.
Authorities also confiscated more than $29 thousand suspected drug proceeds from Mullins at another airport search.
Evidence revealed Thomas and Palmer used Jenkins for street-level distribution while police found about a kilogram of meth packaged separately during a vehicle search.
Clemons participated directly with Mullins including traveling together to Atlanta where they received nearly pure meth later discovered during a traffic stop.
Operation Sweet Silence is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative involving resources from DOJ’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) as well as Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN)—focused on eliminating violent cartels and protecting local communities nationwide through coordinated federal efforts.
Deputy Criminal Chief Veronica Hansis (Middle District of Georgia) along with Trial Attorney Matthew Mattis (Criminal Division’s Violent Crime & Racketeering Section) prosecuted this case.
