10th defendant found guilty in local meth-trafficking operation
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - The 10th defendant charged in an Augusta-area drug trafficking conspiracy has been found guilty at trial, representing the final defendant in the case with all others currently serving prison , we learned on Thursday.
Donnie Skillman, 47, of Augusta, faces up to life in federal prison after his conviction on methamphetamine trafficking and firearms possession charges, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
5 CSRA suspects indicted on federal firearm charges
Five suspects from the CSRA have been indicted for felony charges of illegal firearms possession, according to authorities.
After a two-day trial in U.S. District Court, the jury found Skillman guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Skillman was one of 10 defendants charged in USA v. Walters et al., an indictment unsealed in December 2023 identifying a major methamphetamine trafficking operation distributing drugs throughout the Augusta area.
THE LEGAL CASE
The other defendants: Here’s their status
- The other nine defendants are serving federal prison sentences after pleading guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy charges, including:
- Edward Jake Walters, aka “State Farm,” aka “Jake from State Farm,” 30, of Grovetown, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500.
- Phillip Smith, 50, of Augusta, was sentenced to 156 months in prison and fined $1,500.
- Dustin Bayles, 36, of Thomson, was sentenced to 135 months in prison and fined $1,500.
- Glen Taylor, 43, of Beech Island, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $1,500.
- Linda Campbell, 54, of Augusta, was sentenced to 68 months in prison and fined $1,000.
- Joshua Wasden, 36, of Thomson, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $2,000.
- Brian Hilliard, 41, of Augusta, was sentenced to 108 months in prison and fined $2,500.
- Gary Holcomb, 61, of Martinez, sentenced to 188 months in prison and fined $2,000.
- Destiny Poole, 24, of Grovetown, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500.
Man wanted after meth found in child’s system
A man is wanted in reference to second-degree cruelty to children, according to the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office.
Smith, Hilliard, and Holcomb also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule sentencing for Skillman upon completion of a presentence investigation by U.S. Probation Services.
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