MACON, Ga. — A Warner Robins man with a prior criminal history was sentenced on Tuesday for participating in a Middle Georgia drug trafficking ring.
According to a release by the U.S. Department of Justice, Reginald Lowe, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and four years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. “Tripp” Self, III, after Lowe pled guilty in August to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Lowe will serve this sentence consecutive to a prior conviction in Houston County for aggravated assault.
The charges stem from investigations centered in Warner Robins by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces. During their investigation, they found Lowe’s co-defendant, Ontarrio Veal aka “Torrie,” 32, of Warner Robins was the leader of the drug trafficking ring.
According to court documents and evidence submitted to the court, investigators performed surveillance on the operation, revealing that from January to June of 2020, Veal and various co-defendants, including Lowe, performed methamphetamine transactions and travelled to Atlanta to purchase large amounts of the substance. In total, the organization was found responsible for distributing over 16 kilograms of meth.
Veal was taken into custody on June 1 as he was returning from a trip to Atlanta. He was found in possession of a Glock .40 semi-automatic pistol, a 50-round drum magazine and three kilograms of methamphetamine. Additionally, agents found multiple firearms, ammunition, meth and over $100,000 in cash in multiple locations around Middle Georgia.
Veal pled guilty on Nov. 15 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, facing up to 40 years in prison, four years of supervised release and a $5 million fine. His sentencing is scheduled for March 7, 2023.
Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division, spoke on the safety of the community.
“This investigation deals a fatal blow to a once-thriving ‘meth’ ring,” Murphy said. “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.”
Warner Robins Interim Police Chief Wayne Fisher explained the effect of the working relationship between the police department and federal agencies.
“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,” 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.”
Three other co-defendants from Warner Robins have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Matthew Kay, 35, Donna Ussery, 31, and Tamara Hall, 39.
Three more have pleaded guilty to use of a communication facility to conspire to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Marquell Gaines aka “Paris,” 38, Parsa Ervin, 45, and Eddie Linkhorn, 42.
One co-defendant from Macon pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine: Milton Simmons aka “Mann,” 40.
The case is under investigation by the Warner Robins Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
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