BRUNSWICK, GA: An incarcerated leader in a massive, gang-related drug trafficking conspiracy has been sentenced to life in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges brought in the largest-ever indictment in the Southern District of Georgia.

James D. NeSmith, also known as “DG,” a 26-year-old inmate currently serving a life sentence for murder at Telfair State Prison, received a consecutive term of life in federal prison. NeSmith pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. The sentencing was conducted by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, who ordered that NeSmith be housed at a facility located no less than 500 miles away from his Brunswick residence.

Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, stated, “James NeSmith’s sentence and the convictions in this case mark significant milestones in our efforts to dismantle a major drug trafficking operation in south Georgia. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will continue to disrupt these traffickers as they distribute deadly and addictive drugs, thereby safeguarding our communities and prison facilities.”

The case, known as Operation Ghost Busted, was unsealed in January under the title USA v. Alvarez et al. It charged a total of 76 defendants with involvement in a drug trafficking conspiracy linked to the white supremacist Ghost Face Gangsters. The organization was responsible for distributing large quantities of high-grade methamphetamine, fentanyl, heroin, and alprazolam in the greater Glynn County area. To date, almost 70 defendants have either been sentenced or are awaiting sentencing after entering guilty pleas in U.S. District Court. The remaining defendants are still undergoing court proceedings and are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Key Figures Adjudicated in Operation Ghost Busted

• Desiree M. Briley, a 26-year-old guard at Telfair State Prison, was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, Methamphetamine. Briley assisted NeSmith in smuggling contraband into the prison facility.
• John E. Harrison, a 26-year-old resident of Brunswick, received a sentence of 190 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Harrison played a role as a courier and drug distributor in the conspiracy.
• Charles W. Walrath, also known as “Boomer,” a 52-year-old resident of Brunswick, was sentenced to 144 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. Walrath was identified as a mid-level drug distributor within the conspiracy.
• Clinton Taylor, a 34-year-old resident of Brunswick, was sentenced to 105 months in prison after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Taylor, who possessed an SKS assault-style rifle illegally, has two previous convictions for illegal firearms possession. He also faces state charges related to a machete attack on a Brunswick resident.
• Marissa D. Davis, a 32-year-old resident of Brunswick, was sentenced to 97 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine and Fentanyl. Davis worked alongside Walrath and others as an illegal drug distributor.
• Wendell McClain, a 35-year-old resident of Brunswick, was sentenced to 96 months in prison after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Methamphetamine.
• Rachael P. Byrd, also known as “Byrd is the Word,” a 26-year-old resident of Brunswick, is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute, and to Distribute, 50 Grams or More of Methamphetamine. Byrd served as a leader in the drug trafficking organization, relaying instructions from her boyfriend James NeSmith. She distributed multiple kilos of methamphetamine to various distributors and street-level dealers and delivered contraband to Briley for delivery to NeSmith in prison.

NeSmith’s mother and sister are also being prosecuted for their participation in the drug trafficking conspiracy. Authorities are currently seeking a fugitive, David D. Young, also known as “Khaos,” from Hortense, Ga., who is facing multiple federal charges.

Will Clarke, Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Savannah Office, emphasized, “Gangs operating within our prison systems not only introduce drugs and violence into correctional facilities, but they also fuel drug-related violence in our communities. We are committed to dismantling violent gangs such as the Ghost Face Gangsters and holding their members and accomplices accountable for their criminal actions.”

Beau Kolodka, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, stated, “This operation exemplifies the impact that can be achieved when we combine our investigative resources with our state and local partners to aggressively dismantle major drug trafficking networks that plague our communities. ATF remains dedicated to targeting violent offenders and dismantling their criminal organizations.”

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey added, “Illegal drugs pose a severe threat to the safety of communities in Georgia. The GBI is fully committed to collaborating with our local and federal partners to investigate the heinous crimes associated with criminal street gangs.”

Operation Ghost Busted was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which focuses on identifying, disrupting, and dismantling the highest-level criminal organizations that pose a threat to the United States. The investigation involved various agencies including the FBI Coastal Georgia Violent Gang Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Department of Corrections, the Georgia Department of Community Supervision, the Glynn County Police Department, the Brunswick Police Department, the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office, and sheriff’s offices from Pierce, Camden, Wayne, Treutlen, McIntosh, Toombs, Telfair, Dodge, and Ware counties. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer J. Kirkland and E. Greg Gilluly Jr., Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division.