Quincy man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison – 12 other Gadsden suspects arrested, sentenced in drug trafficking, dog fighting ring

The United States Department of Justice says that a Quincy man has been sentenced to 30 years in a federal prison after being accused and convicted of being a ‘ringleader’ in drug trafficking and dog fighting.

According to Jason R. Coody, the department’s acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, Jermaine Hadley, age 32, of Quincy, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison on Friday, June 4.

The department of justice says that Hadley headed a drug trafficking organization that was affiliated with a violent gang in the Gadsden County area; that gang, the department adds, was responsible for the distribution of over 50 kilograms of methamphetamine, over 15 kilograms cocaine, MDMA, and the possession of illegal firearms, in addition to facilitating a large scale dogfighting ring throughout the north-central Florida Panhandle between 2018 and 2019.

The department of justice lists over 20 other defendants who were arrested or have already been sentenced as a part of the investigation into the trafficking and dog fighting ring - many of whom hail from the Gadsden County area.

According to the United States Department of Justice, Hadley led a drug trafficking organization that was supplied by multiple sources in Georgia, Louisiana, and Texas, from which he and his associates distributed narcotics throughout North Florida.

The department of justice reports that Hadley’s narcotics distribution network involved members of the Gadsden County “424” criminal street gang.

In addition, Hadley and his associates coordinated and conducted numerous dogfighting matches where the animals were often made to fight to the death, as participants paid to watch and gambled on the outcomes; as a part of the investigation, the department of justice was able to rescue over 100 fighting dogs from the crime ring.

The department of justice reports that several parcels of property in the Gadsden County area were used to facilitate the criminal activities of the organization, and that those properties have been seized and are being criminally forfeited.

“As a result of the incredible work of our law enforcement partners, this criminal has been held to account for the violence, armed drug trafficking, and horrific acts of animal cruelty he orchestrated,” stated Acting United States Attorney Coody. “The abuse of animals for profit is both inhumane and illegal and will be vigorously prosecuted by this office.”

“Jermaine Hadley can no longer distribute dangerous drugs nor harm innocent animals,” said Drug Enforcement Administration’s Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge La Verne Hibbert. “As a result of the strong multi-agency law enforcement collaboration in this case, Panhandle communities are less afflicted by the scourge of his drug distribution and gang related criminal activities.”

The United States Department of Justice says that the investigation and continuing prosecutions are the result of the collaborative effort of numerous federal, state, and local agencies, including the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General, Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Chattahoochee Police Department, the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Florida Air National Guard Counterdrug Program.

“The Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office appreciates the teamwork from all agencies,” stated Gadsden County Sheriff Morris Young. “We are intolerable of offenses, especially this kind.”

The other Gadsden County defendants in this investigation include:

Dennis Lamar Howard , 47, of Chattahoochee. Howard was sentenced to credit for time served, with two years of supervised release, six months of which will be served on home detention with location monitoring.

Eddie Lee Hughes , 54, of Chattahoochee. Hughes was sentenced to credit for time served, with three years of supervised release.

Leonard Safford , 39, of Gretna. Safford was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison.

Patrick Lee Baker , 45, of Chattahoochee. Baker’s sentencing is set for June 24.

Sariem Shanquell McMillian , 25, of Quincy. McMillian’s sentencing is set for June 24.

Bob Streets , 37, of Quincy. Streets’ sentencing is set for June 24.

Linda Lockwood , 50, of Chattahoochee. Lockwoods’ sentencing is set for June 25.

Zanntayfey Yohoun Bennett , 37, of Quincy. Bennett’s sentencing is set for July 7.

Devar San Jacus Donaldson , 29, of Quincy. Donaldson’s sentencing is set for July 8.

Justin Cribley , 38, of Chattahoochee. Cribley’s sentencing is set for July 21.

Ja’Rod Lamar Bryant , 33, of Chattahoochee. Bryant’s sentencing is set for July 22.

Jequentavious Trayshon Owens , 26, of Chattahoochee. Owens’ sentencing is set for July 23.

Ashley Hunter - editor@gadsdencountytimes.com

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Quincy man sentenced to 30 years in federal prison – 12 other Gadsden suspects arrested, sentenced in drug trafficking, dog fighting ring

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