DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE NEWS RELEASE:
“…The federal indictment in Case No. 3:25-CR-00010, filed on May 14 and unsealed on Aug. 26, charges the following individuals:
Alicio Yanez-Pineda, aka “Cochito,” 48, of Mexico, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Josue Serda, 26, of Jefferson, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of distribution of methamphetamine where a person under 18 was present and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Ulises Borja, aka “Liche,” 33, of Cedartown, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Travis Arnold, aka “Trav,” 33, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, nine counts of distribution of fentanyl, one count of distribution of methamphetamine, one count of distribution of methamphetamine where a person under 18 was present, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Ariel Collins, 32, of Athens, is charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison if convicted;
Patrick Wilkins, 32, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and three counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Edgar Jara, 27, of Jefferson, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Tyler Parr, 27, of Jefferson, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Gregory Robinson, 32, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of possession with intent to distribute cocaine, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute oxycodone and one count of maintaining drug involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted; and
Deshun Muckle, 51, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of fentanyl and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
According to the Yanez-Pineda et al indictment, from January 2024 until May 2025, Yanez-Pineda, Serda, Borja, Arnold, Wilkins, Jara, Parr, Robinson and Muckle allegedly conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than 50 grams of methamphetamine in the Athens region. The indictment alleges that Arnold and Collins illegally maintained a location on Sartain Drive in Athens to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine; co-conspirator Robinson is accused of distributing fentanyl, cocaine and oxycodone from a location on Essex Court in Athens. According to the indictment, Borja served a prison sentence for a prior serious felony drug conviction and Wilkins is a convicted felon who is charged with allegedly possessing five firearms illegally.
The federal indictment in Case No. 3:25-CR-00020, filed on Aug. 12 and unsealed on Aug. 26, charges the following individuals:
Orlando Muckle, aka “Lando,” 51, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, four counts of distribution of cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and one count of maintaining drug involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Joey Campbell, aka “Jay,” 41, of Winterville, Georgia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of distribution of fentanyl and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Bernard Walker, aka “Nard,” 53, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and five counts of distribution of fentanyl and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Lanier Cooper, aka “Nier,” 22, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of maintaining drug involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted;
Myles Kolbe Cooper, aka “Wop,” 27, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, two counts of distribution of fentanyl and one count of maintaining drug involved premises and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted; and
Tommy Lee Smith, 65, of Athens, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted.
According to the Muckle et al indictment, the defendants allegedly conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl and more than five kilograms of cocaine and cocaine base in the Athens region beginning in October 2020. The indictment alleges that both Cooper co-conspirators distributed controlled substances from a premises on Commerce Parkway in Athens and that co-conspirator Muckle allegedly stored cocaine from an apartment on Jennings Mill Parkway in Athens. According to the indictment, Muckle, Campbell and Walker served prison sentences for prior serious felony drug convictions.
A newly unsealed federal criminal complaint in Case No. 3:24-MJ-00020 charges Halie Marie Money, 26, of Jefferson, with one count of possession of a firearm by an unlawful drug user. If convicted, Money faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.
According to the Money criminal complaint, Money and Serda were allegedly found unconscious in the front seat of a parked car outside the Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway in Athens in the mid-afternoon of June 20, 2025.”
Officials also say that the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office also participated in the multi-agency operation which included officers from federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. They had previously acknowledged that the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office was involved.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED WEDNESDAY: Multi-agency raids in Jackson Co., Athens, metro Atlanta targeted gang members