Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Deputies Recovered Methamphetamine, Guns from Defendant’s Leesburg, Georgia, Residence
ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia man was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine from his Leesburg, Georgia, residence.
Shaun Anthony Akins, 44, of Leesburg, was sentenced to serve 144 months in prison to be followed by four years of supervised release by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner on Jan. 14. Akins previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on April 24, 2024. There is no parole in the federal system.
“The armed distribution of methamphetamine and other deadly and addictive drugs are the types of cases that are being quickly elevated to the federal level for prosecution,” said Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “Our office will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to support the efforts of local, state and federal law enforcement to make our communities safer and seek justice.”
“Shaun Akins valued the profit from his drug trade over the lives of his customers,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “Wherever you operate, if you sell drugs, DEA will hold you accountable.”
“This sentencing underscores the ongoing commitment of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and our law enforcement partners to dismantle drug trafficking networks and hold those accountable who poison our communities with dangerous substances like methamphetamine,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case is a reminder that those who engage in the illegal drug trade will face significant consequences, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who seek to undermine the safety of our citizens.”
“Armed methamphetamine trafficking is very dangerous, and these kinds of deadly drugs are killing our citizens. This case shows that dealers who continue to push illegal drugs in Lee County will wind up spending a lot of time behind bars for their crimes,” said Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals.
According to the plea agreement and other statements referenced in court, law enforcement had received information from multiple citizen complaints dating back to 2022 that Akins was selling methamphetamine out of his Leesburg residence. A confidential source (CS) working with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) contacted Akins to purchase methamphetamine. Akins was recorded selling methamphetamine to the CS at his Leesburg residence on January 30, 2023, Feb. 6, 2023, and Feb. 24, 2023. On May 8, 2023, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) conducted surveillance on Akins and observed an individual quickly arrive and depart from Akins’ residence, which law enforcement determined was consistent with a drug customer. LCSO conducted a traffic stop on the individual and recovered approximately 33 grams of methamphetamine, baggies and a digital scale. The investigation revealed Akins had just sold the individual the methamphetamine. Soon after, LCSO conducted a lawful search of Akins’ residence and recovered 162 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine in his bedroom, additional quantities of methamphetamine throughout the house, as well as plastic baggies, digital scales, several rounds of ammunition, two semiautomatic pistols and a semiautomatic rifle. LCSO subsequently searched Akins’ cell phone and located several incriminating photographs depicting the same firearms recovered from the residence, as well as quantities of suspected methamphetamine.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the GBI and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case for the Government.