A Georgia inmate and member of the Sureños criminal gang who was brokering the distribution of at least 250 kilograms of methamphetamine along with other controlled substances like heroin and fentanyl from behind bars was sentenced to serve more than 30 years in prison for his crimes.
Pedro Barragan Valencia aka “Casper” aka “Bossman,” aka “Mexican Hitman Pete,” 46, of Calhoun, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 400 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner on Dec. 12.
Valencia pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on June 7. Valencia is not eligible for parole.
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“Pedro Valencia directed the distribution of at least 250 kilograms of methamphetamine from behind bars to an armed drug trafficking organization pushing these highly addictive and deadly drugs in Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This dangerous drug trafficking organization was dismantled because of the collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement dedicated to stopping criminals from harming our communities.”
“This conviction serves to put criminals on notice that if you bring illegal drugs into our communities, we will employ whatever means necessary to find you and bring you to justice no matter where you are,” said FBI Atlanta Supervisory Senior Resident Agent of the Macon Office Robert Gibbs. “This prosecution closes a significant pipeline for dangerous drugs running through the streets of Georgia. We are grateful to the many law enforcement agencies whose coordinated efforts achieved this sentence.”
“This successful investigation and prosecution is the result of many law enforcement agencies dedicated to securing our communities; we are grateful for the collaboration and hopeful it will make a difference,” said Upson County Sheriff Dan Kilgore.
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According to court documents, FBI was investigating co-defendant Cornelius Leonard aka “Tae,” 29, of Grantville, Georgia, for leading an armed drug distribution organization in late 2021 and early 2022, having made four controlled purchases of methamphetamine from Leonard during that time period. The investigation led to multiple wiretaps on Leonard’s phones.
Through these wiretaps, law enforcement agents learned that Leonard was conspiring with Valencia—who was an inmate at Calhoun State Prison—to acquire large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and other illegal drugs for distribution in Thomaston and Columbus along with other Georgia cities. Valencia supplied Leonard with at least 250 kilograms of methamphetamine.
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