Meth ringleader could face 40 years

MACON, Ga. — A Warner Robins resident pleaded guilty in federal court Tuesday for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to a press release from the United States Attorney’s Office and its Middle District of Georgia.

Veal could face up to four decades in prison, at least four years of supervised release as well as a $5 million fine. Sentencing will take place on March 7, 2023.

An investigation by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces found that Ontarrio Veal, 32, was responsible for distributing approximately 16 kilograms of meth around the Middle Georgia area. The DEA and the Warner Robins Police Department investigated the Warner Robins drug trafficking organization from January 2020 to June 2020.

Federal and local law enforcement as well as legal figures have spoken out on the significance of the case’s outcome and what it means for Warner Robins and the surrounding area.

“Armed methamphetamine trafficking poses a grave danger to the safety of our communities,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said. “Local and federal law enforcement agencies together have prevented this organization from continuing to push large amounts of a highly addictive and destructive illegal drug into Middle Georgia.”

“This investigation deals a fatal blow to a once-thriving ‘meth’ ring,” Robert J. Murphy said, serving as the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “With the leader facing up to 40 years behind bars, the community of Warner Robins and elsewhere can rest assured that their communities are much safer today thanks to the outstanding case work by DEA and our local law enforcement partners.”

“The Warner Robins Police Department is honored to have worked in conjunction with our federal partners through the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which resulted in the outcome of this case,” Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher said. “It is through such local, state and federal partnerships that impacts such as these can be realized. It was with great work and effort from the men and women of this task force which resulted in these arrests that will have an immeasurable impact for the good of our shared communities.”

According to court documentation, law enforcement involved received court orders to intercept phone calls and text messages from the cell phones of Veal and co-defendant Tamera Hall.

Officials discovered the large quantities of meth involved and that some co-defendants were traveling to Atlanta to purchase the drug for sale in Middle Georgia. Veal was taken into custody on June 1 after returning from a trip to Atlanta. Officers that made the arrest seized nearly three kilograms of meth and a .40 caliber Glock semi-automatic pistol with a 50-round drum magazine.

Following the June 1 execution of search warrants at various Middle Georgia locations, agents seized multiple firearms and ammunition, around 3.5 kilograms of meth and more than $100,000 in cash.

DEA agents conducted a controlled purchase of meth from Veal using a confidential source on Dec. 14, 2020. Veal has admitted guilt to the sale and distribution of approximately 16 kilograms of the drug.

Eight co-defendants have pleaded guilty and/or been sentenced in this case:

Donna Ussery, 31, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 19 and was sentenced to serve 100 months in prison on Oct. 4.

Marquell Gaines aka Paris, 38, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to serve 48 months in prison on Oct. 11.

Reginald Lowe, 41, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 30. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Matthew Kay, 35, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Sept. 6. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 6.

Tamara Hall, 39, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on April 19. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023.

Milton Simmons aka Mann, 40, of Macon, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 1. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2023.

Parsa Ervin, 45, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine on Aug. 30. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10.

Eddie Linkhorn, 42, of Warner Robins, pleaded guilty to two counts of use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 10.

The DEA, ATF and Warner Robins Police Department are investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Keyes will be serving as the case’s prosecutor.

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