Date: 07-17-2024

Case Style:

United States of America v. Ricky Rich

Case Number: 3:23-cr-00010

Judge: Dudley H. Bowen

Court: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Georgia

Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office for Savannah

Defendant's Attorney:

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Description:

Savannah, Georgia criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with drug trafficking
Laurens County drug trafficker sentenced to nearly 20 years in federal prison

Investigators from the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, identified Ricky Rich, age 42, of East Dublin, Georgia, as a prolific drug distributor.

“Ricky Rich is a career offender with a long history of distributing illegal drugs in the middle Georgia area,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “This substantial prison sentence holds him accountable while protecting the community from his criminal activity.”

Investigators found large amounts of drugs at Rich’s home and that of a relative, including deadly fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Rich was on parole for prior state drug trafficking charges at the time he entered federal custody.

As part of his plea agreement, Rich forfeited ownership of 19 illegally possessed firearms and ammunition seized during the searches. He also faces prosecution for related state charges.

“Last year, we lost approximately 110,757 people to drug poisonings – a majority from synthetic opioids such as fentanyl,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “DEA will continue to bring to justice drug traffickers who drive addiction and destroy communities.”

“This sentence sends a clear message: We will not tolerate any person that brings poisonous drugs, like fentanyl, into our communities,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey. “The GBI will continue to work with our local, state, and federal partners to remove illegal drugs from our streets.”

“As sheriff of Laurens County, it is my pleasure to work hand in hand with federal, state and local law enforcement to rid our community of dangerous drug traffickers,” said Laurens County Sheriff Larry Dean. “I commend each person involved in this investigation and thank them for a job well done. I have always said I will do everything in my power to eliminate illegal drugs in Dublin and Laurens County and I will continue to do so.”

The case was investigated by the Laurens County Sheriff’s Office, the Savannah Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and prosecuted for the United States by Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. Harper III.

Outcome:

Defendant was found guilty and sentenced to 228 months in prison also ordered Rich to pay a $2,500 fine and to serve three years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

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