Atlanta man sentenced in Milledgeville-related drug case, separate Athens residents plead guilty

Two Athens residents pleaded guilty to charges involving the distribution of fentanyl, and an Atlanta man was sentenced to prison, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced on Thursday.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Two Athens residents pleaded guilty to charges involving the distribution of fentanyl, and an Atlanta man was sentenced to prison, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia announced on Thursday.

41-year-old James Hill of Athens admitted to a conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl. He now faces a minimum of 10 years and up to a life sentence in prison, along with a $10,000,000 fine.

29-year-old Jasmine Jackson, also from Athens, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute the same substances, with a maximum 20-year sentence and a $1,000,000 fine.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 21, 2024.

Court documents said Hill mixed fentanyl into heroin for sale at multiple locations in Athens. Law enforcement uncovered drugs, cash and a small laboratory in his apartment.

Atlanta man sentenced in case with Milledgeville connection

39-year-old Brandon Ector of Atlanta, known as “Big,” received a 150-month prison sentence for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Ector, who is not eligible for parole, was sentenced on the same day as the guilty pleas.

“Thanks to the law enforcement agencies involved, nearly four kilograms of fentanyl were prevented from reaching the Athens and Milledgeville communities,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Ector was a key member of a drug trafficking organization led by co-defendant Damon Hayes, known as “D-5.” The organization, which operated partly in Milledgeville, was involved in distributing methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs. Law enforcement agencies, including the DEA Macon Resident Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), used information from confidential informants to target the network, and a raid in Atlanta led to the seizure of large amounts of fentanyl and other drugs.

Agents say they recovered 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl in the apartment, as well as one kilogram of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 50 grams of cocaine base, approximately seven pounds of marijuana, a Glock 19 9mm pistol and a Ruger model 57 handgun.