ALBANY, Ga. — United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, Charles E. Peeler, announced Thursday that five individuals involved in a methamphetamine distribution ring were sentenced by Judge Leslie J. Abrams on Wednesday, Oct. 24, in U.S. Federal Court in Albany. These five sentencings join 11 defendants who were sentenced earlier this week related to the same illegal drug distribution ring.

Authorities estimate that the group was responsible for the distribution of more than 20 kilograms of the drug. From May until November 2016, an organization of 30 individuals distributed methamphetamine in and around Moultrie. According to court evidence, some of these transactions also occurred in Atlanta and parts of Florida, including at the Georgia-Florida line.

The following individuals were sentenced Wednesday:

• Artaviouis Williams, age 33, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and was sentenced to 180 months to serve and 5 years supervised release.

• Derrick Wright, age 31, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances and was sentenced to 192 months to serve and 5 years supervised release.

• Heather Crawford, age 36, of Cecil, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and was sentenced to 96 months to serve and 5 years supervised release.

• Cedric Butts, age 29, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and was sentenced to 200 months to serve and 5 years supervised release.

• Shaquese McIntyre, age 22, of Moultrie, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine (Count 1) and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (Count 2) and was sentenced to 160 months to serve and 4 years supervised release.

The case was investigated by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration, Georgia Bureau of Investigations, Georgia Department of Corrections, Georgia Department of Community Supervision, Mid-South Narcotics Task Force, Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office, Tift County Sheriff’s Office, Henry County Sheriff’s Office, Grady County Sheriff’s Office, Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Leon County (Florida) Sheriff’s Office, Volusia County (Florida) Bureau of Investigation and Moultrie Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Leah E. McEwen is prosecuting the case for the United States.