Department of Justice

BRUNSWICK, GA – The lead defendant in a major south Georgia drug trafficking conspiracy has been sentenced to nearly 11 years in federal prison, representing the final defendant to be sentenced from the now-dismantled drug trafficking ring.

John Eugene Overcash, a/k/a “Cowboy,” 53, of Brunswick, Ga., was sentenced to 128 months in federal prison by U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

Overcash pled guilty to Conspiracy with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute 5 Kilograms or More of Cocaine and an Amount of Marijuana, and Possession of a Firearm by a Prohibited Person. He also was sentenced to 120 months to be served concurrently on the firearms charge, and after completion of his sentence will serve five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

The court also ordered Overcash to forfeit $60,207 in cash seized during the investigation, along with two vehicles and multiple firearms and ammunition. 

“Through vigorous investigation and relentless prosecution, Overcash and his criminal cohorts will no longer be pumping poison into our communities,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “The same fate awaits any others who are tempted to follow in their footsteps: A prison cell is available for them, too.”

Overcash was the lead defendant among two dozen indicted on federal and state charges in spring of 2018 in the takedown of a large-scale drug-trafficking operation centered around Glynn and McIntosh counties. The investigation, which led to the seizure of kilograms of cocaine, more than 30 pounds of marijuana, crack cocaine, more than $60,000 in cash and dozens of firearms, was coordinated by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with the Glynn County Sheriff’s Office and the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Marshals Service.

Other defendants convicted and sentenced in the operation include:

Edrin Temple, a/k/a “Pete McCiver,” 40, of Darien, Ga., sentenced to 130 months in prison for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute. Temple will begin serving his federal sentence after release from state prison for state charges and for violating probation. 

Kenneth Leon Bradley, 51, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 112 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances, including 5 kilograms or more of cocaine, a quantity of crack cocaine and a quantity of marijuana;

Anthony Bernard Lewis, a/k/a “Amp,” 47, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 42 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine;

Jeremy McIntyre, 38, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 34 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine;

Richard Carter, 58, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana;

Darrius Merrell, 39, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 21 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Conspiracy with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Cocaine;

Keneil King, 26, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 37 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Possession with Intent to Distribute Cocaine. After completion of his sentence, King will be referred to Immigrations and Custom Enforcement for deportation.

Troy Crosby, 50, of Hortense, Ga., sentenced to 38 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release for Distribution of Cocaine;

Jessica Tabateau, 32, of Orlando, Fla., sentenced to three years of probation for Conspiracy to Possess with Intent and to Distribute Cocaine;

Amy Manson, 38, of Hortense, Ga., sentenced to time served for Unlawful Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Drug Crime;

Joseph Simmons, a/k/a “Bug,” 49, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for Unlawful Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Drug Crime;

Tommy Murray, 51, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 12 months plus one day in prison followed by one year of supervised release for Unlawful Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Drug Crime;

Clifton Foster, 65, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 18 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for Unlawful Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Drug Crime; and, 

Marcus Mungin, 34, of Brunswick, Ga., sentenced to 10 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release for Unlawful Use of a Communications Facility to Facilitate a Drug Crime.

Additional defendants in the operation were prosecuted on state charges.