Testimony at the sentencing hearings established that DAVIS was the head of the “Sin City Mafia,” a major criminal enterprise with headquarters in Columbus, GA; Atlanta, GA; and Los Angeles, CA. DAVIS obtained cocaine from California suppliers connected to major Mexican cartels and transported that cocaine to Atlanta by way of tractor trailers, private jets and through parcel post. Once the cocaine arrived in Atlanta, it was packaged for shipment various locales along the East Coast. DAVIS’ organization had ties to the Black Mafia Family (BMF), a criminal enterprise operating in Detroit, Atlanta, Orlando, Saint Louis and elsewhere.
The evidence established GRAHAM as one of DAVIS’ primary distributors, and that GRAHAM, KING and others associated with their organization personally supplied over 500 kilograms of cocaine sold in South Carolina. The evidence also showed that DAVIS, GRAHAM, KING and GLOSTER (DAVIS’ wife) lived lavish lifestyles and laundered the proceeds of their drug business in a number of ways. DAVIS, in particular, owned several million dollar residences titled in the names of his family members and associates.
All of the defendants entered guilty pleas. GRAHAM agreed to cooperate with the Government but lied about a number of his associates and failed a polygraph examination. Judge Herlong heard evidence for six hours during the sentencing hearing about the various breaches of GRAHAM’s plea agreement. During a break in the proceeding, GRAHAM pointed at the cooperating witness, made a shooting gesture with his fingers and then pointed at his own heart.
After hearing evidence, Judge Herlong ruled that GRAHAM had made numerous false statements to Government agents after his guilty plea and had breached his plea agreement in a number of material particulars. Judge Herlong also ruled that GRAHAM had threatened a witness during the course of the proceedings, and sentenced GRAHAM to a term of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.
Judge Herlong sentenced GRAHAM to life in prison without the possibility of parole. He sentenced the other defendants as follows: DAVIS, to a term of 39 years, 10 months in prison; KING, 24 years, 8 months in prison; RIVERA, 3 years, 4 months in prison; and GLOSTER, 2 years in prison. Judge Herlong also ordered the forfeiture of millions of dollars in drug related assets. All of these sentences will be served without the possibility of parole, and agents have seized over $5 million dollars worth of drug related assets during the course of the South Carolina investigation.
DEA Atlanta Field Division Special Agent in Charge Rodney G. Benson said, “Drug traffickers may think they can find safe havens to conduct their filthy business, but they are kidding themselves. With the relentless cooperative efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement partners we work as one force committed to ensuring there is never a comfortable place for those who mock our laws and encourage our children to destroy their bodies. The court provided sentences today that reinforce that message.”
U.S. Attorney Reginald I. Lloyd noted that this investigation is one of the largest drug investigations ever handled by his office. He stated that the sentences handed down with respect to the leaders of this organization (GRAHAM, DAVIS and KING) send a message that drug dealing will not be tolerated.
