Augusta, GA
Local meth kingpin used mom as drug courier, feds say
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – Six local residents are headed to federal prison after authorities busted a wide-ranging meth pipeline from Atlanta that was headed by a man who used his mom as a drug courier, prosecutors said Wednesday.
Lead defendant James Andrew McPherson, 30, of Hephzibah, was sentenced to 188 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
His operation transported large quantities of highly pure methamphetamine for distribution in Richmond, Columbia and Burke counties, according to prosecutors.
McPherson or his couriers – including his mother – brought in the meth from Atlanta, then he split it into smaller quantities for the others to sell, according to prosecutors.
McPherson pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute methamphetamine.
Authorities have been saying for years that Augusta is susceptible to rings like this, being situated along Interstate 20 with easy access to Atlanta. The Atlanta area itself is a major funnel for the pipeline, as shown by the discovery last month of a ton of meth hidden in a celery truck at a farmers market.
Other defendants sentenced in McPherson’s case include:
- Brandon Wayne Johnson, 43, of Hephzibah, sentenced to 87 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Marcus “Smoke” Smith, 32, of Augusta, sentenced to 151 months in prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
- Leslie Helinski, 54, of Augusta, the mother of James McPherson, sentenced to 130 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Tony Watson, 49, of Conover, N.C., sentenced to 120 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
- Charity Porter, 25, of Augusta, sentenced to 37 months in prison after pleading guilty to distribution of methamphetamine.
“We applaud the work of our law enforcement partners in identifying and disrupting this meth-trafficking conspiracy,” said U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg. “Our communities are safer with these illegal drug distributors off the streets.”
Robert J. Murphy, special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, agreed.
“Driven by greed, these drug traffickers’ activities posed a significant threat to the Augusta area and beyond,” he said.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from the Georgia State Patrol, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Burke County Sheriff’s Office and McDuffie County Sheriff’s Office.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – At an awards ceremony Saturday, News 12 received several 2024 GABBY Awards from the Georgia Association of Broadcasters in multiple categories.
The awards honor broadcasters across the Peach State in both large and small markets.
All of the station’s GABBY awards this year were first-place honors.
News 12 came home with awards in these categories:
- Best Online Breaking News Coverage, Small Market Digital: WRDW News Team
- Best Investigative Reporting Series, Small Market TV: Meredith Anderson, Saint Julian Cox III and Joi Daniels
- Best Breaking News Coverage, Small Market TV: WRDW News Team
- Best Newscast, Small Market TV: WRDW News Team
- Best Reporter, Small Market TV: Meredith Anderson
- Best Sports Anchor, Small Market TV: Alyssa Lyons
- Best Videographer, Small Market TV: Saint Julian Cox III
- Rising Star: Will Rioux
The GABBY honors come on the heels of a national honor for News 12.
The station recently earned the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence among small market TV stations.
The Murrow Awards are bestowed each year by the Radio Television Digital News Association, the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to broadcast and digital journalism.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – A 27-year-old woman was found shot dead Saturday morning, and authorities are looking for the suspect.
Officials say Laquana Lang, 27, was shot dead in the 500 block of Hines Street.
Lang was found inside the home with at least one gunshot wound and pronounced dead around 11:06 a.m., according to Coroner Mark Bowen.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office said it had detained a suspect, but then later said it was looking for Davante Denzel Parks, 26, on charges of murder and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime in connection with the shooting.
Authorities released a photo of him and said he’s 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighs 22 pounds.
He’s known to frequent the Allen and Jennings Homes neighborhoods and should be considered armed and dangerous, deputies said.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Investigator Sean Morrow, or any violent crimes investigator at 706-432-5281 or 706-821-1020.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The shooting comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 170 lives in a little over two years across the CSRA.
The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The victim of a shooting on Hines Street has been identified according to the Richmond County Sheriff’s Coroner’s Office.
On Saturday, Richmond County Coroner Mark Bowen confirmed Laquana Lang, 27, was the victim of the Hines Street shooting.
Officials say the homicide occurred Saturday morning in the 500 block of Hines Street.
The victim was declared dead on the scene at 11:06 a.m.
Deputies say a suspect has been detained by investigators.
An autopsy has been scheduled.
The shooting comes amid an outbreak of violent crime that’s claimed more than 170 lives in a little over two years across the CSRA.
The crime outbreak has affected communities large and small, but as the biggest city in the region, Augusta has been hit especially hard.
Authorities have blamed much of the problem on gangs.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.
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