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Statesboro-area probe nets 20 arrests for drug distribution, weapons possession
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Submitted report
Effingham Herald
Updated: Sep 13, 2018, 3:42 PM
Published: Sep 13, 2018, 3:39 PM

STATESBORO -- A federal indictment unsealed Wednesday charged a Mexican national and 19 other Statesboro-area residents with multiple felonies, including drug distribution, illegal firearms possession and related offenses resulting from a more than two-year joint operation of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies.

 

Natividad Dias, 38, also known as “Nat,” “Nate,” “Amigo” or “Huevos,” is among 20 individuals charged with multiple counts of trafficking in methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. Others also are charged with possession of firearms by convicted felons.

 

The multi-agency investigation began in 2015 as a result of citizen complaints about drug-trafficking activities and violent crime in Screven County and surrounding communities, including an unsolved homicide case. In 2016, the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Governor’s Taskforce/Drug Suppression, seized more than 500 marijuana plants from a residence in Screven County relating to the charged conspiracy. As the investigation expanded, it revealed the trafficking of methamphetamine and marijuana in Screven, Effingham, Jenkins, Bulloch and Evans counties. Law enforcement agencies participating in the operation conducted various controlled purchases, state search warrants and traffic stops. In addition to the marijuana plants, the agencies seized methamphetamine, cocaine and other drugs, along with multiple firearms.

 

Federal prosecutors used the information compiled during the investigation to secure an indictment under seal for the 20 defendants. Most of the defendants in the case are in custody and some have made their initial appearances in federal court, while one of the defendants remains a fugitive. The indictment was unsealed today.

 

The federal charges and maximum penalties include:

•         Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances, 21 U.S.C. § 846, which carries a sentence of 10 years imprisonment to life, along with fines of up to $10 million.

 

•         Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (100 or more marijuana plants regardless of weight), 21 U.S.C. § 842(a) and (b)(1)(B), with sentences ranging from five to 40 years imprisonment and fines of up to $5 million.

 

•         Possession with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (5 grams or more of Methamphetamine, 50 grams or more of a mixture of Methamphetamine, 500 grams of a mixture of Cocaine), 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(B), which carries a sentence of five to 40 years’ imprisonment and a fine of up to $5 million.

 

•         Distribution of Controlled Substances, and Possession of Controlled Substances with Intent to Distribute, 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), which typically carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, but may carry increased minimum and maximum terms of imprisonment based on the quantity of controlled substances involved and the prior drug convictions of the defendant. 

 

•         Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime, 18 U.S.C. § 924(c), which carries a minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and up to a life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence imposed.

 

•         Felon in Possession of Firearm, 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), which typically carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.  However, if a defendant has three prior convictions for violent crimes or serious drug offenses, then the sentence ranges from a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment to a maximum of life imprisonment.

           

Those charged in the investigation are:

Natividad Dias, 38

John Timothy Collins, 48

John Kenneth Joyner, 47

Palmer Alton Bazemore II, 51

Cassie Jo Barbee, 36

Jaime Elton Newsome, 39

Megan Nicole Bazemore, 30

Christina Elizabeth Davis, 32

Derrick Riggs, 42

Quinn Cullen Neal, 32

Dylan Anthony Davis, 26

Gary Paul Joyner, 51

Monica Isabell Jimenez, 22

Zackary Allen Durrence, 26

John Dillon Joyner, 25

Jonathan Travis Oliver, 36

Michael Shane Bishop, 44

Jonathon Evan Oglesby, 27

Alfred Anthony Woods, 28

Noah Quinn Pope, 25

 

This indictment arose from a joint operation of federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Participating state agencies included the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Georgia State Patrol, Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the Ogeechee Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s Office. Local law enforcement included the Screven County Sheriff’s Office, Sylvania Police Department, Effingham County Sheriff’s Office, Jenkins County Sheriff’s Office, Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, Evans County Sheriff’s Office; and the Claxton Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Marcela C. Mateo is prosecuting the case for the United States.

 

This investigation took place under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer. Attorney General Jeff Sessions has made turning the tide of rising violent crime in America a top priority, with the reinvigorated PSN as the centerpiece of crime reduction strategies developed by all U.S. Attorney’s Offices.

 

“This multi-jurisdiction operation represents a significant step toward making our communities safer by removing violent criminals from the streets,” said Bobby L. Christine, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia. “We are committed to working with law-abiding citizens to help break the cycle of criminal activity that feeds so much of the insecurity and despair in many of our neighborhoods, and that begins with getting these serial felons off the streets.”

 

“This criminal network posed a clear and present danger to the safety and security of the citizens in the Statesboro, Georgia area. Statesboro is a thriving college town and DEA and its law enforcement partners will see to it that this community is a safe haven for our children to obtain a higher education there,” said Robert J. Murphy, the special agent in charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The removal of these drug traffickers from this town automatically makes this community a safer place. These arrests area a perfect example of the success that can be achieved through multilevel law enforcement cooperation and the subsequent prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.”

 

Screven County Sheriff Mike Kile added, “This multi-agency joint investigation was initiated following the large volume of citizen complaints about illegal drug activity in Screven County and surrounding area and the unsolved murder of Lisa Scott and unknown location of missing person Travis Tankersley. Anyone with information regarding these incidents are asked to contact the Screven County Sheriff’s Office or Georgia Bureau of Investigation at 912-871-1121.”

 

An indictment is only an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendants are entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

 

For any questions,  contact Barry Paschal at (912) 652-4422.
Effingham Schools Approve Property Tax Rate Increase
School Property Tax Rate Increase
Comparison of the property tax impact for Effingham County homeowners under the approved millage rate increase, showing the difference from fiscal year 2025 to 2026.
Updated: Sep 19, 2025, 12:52 AM
Published: Sep 19, 2025, 12:53 AM

SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — The Effingham County Board of Education unanimously approved raising the property tax rate from 16.5 to 18.45 mills. For a homeowner with a $350,000 property, that’s about $22 more per month. The vote was 5-0.

Why the Increase is Needed
District officials said the adjustment is necessary to cover rising costs and remain competitive in attracting and retaining teachers and staff. More than 87% of the district’s budget goes to salaries and benefits for employees ranging from classroom teachers to bus drivers, nurses, counselors, paraprofessionals, and administrators.

Most of the increase is tied to an $8 million spike in required contributions to state benefit plans.

The state’s health and retirement benefits for certified employees — teachers — are going up 7% in 2026, finance director Lauren Cain, said. Benefits for non-certified employees — staff — are rising 36%. That’s a total of $8 million more in health and retirement benefits the district will have to cover.

Although the state is increasing funding to Effingham schools by $4 million, it will cover only about half the benefits hike, she said.

As of July 1, premiums for the State Health Benefit Plan (SHBP) have nearly doubled since FY2023, jumping from $945 to $1,885 per month per employee. In addition, the district’s contribution rate to the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) has increased from 20.78% to 21.91%.  

To help offset those rising costs, the district voted to raise the millage rate.

Millage Rate

Balancing Costs & Education
Superintendent Yancy Ford previously called the increase “an investment in every child’s future.” He said, “Smaller class sizes, highly qualified teachers, and strong support staff are all proven to raise student achievement. This millage rate increase allows us to continue building on our successes and to make sure every child in Effingham County has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential.”

Ford also acknowledged the strain on taxpayers. “We don’t want to put the taxpayers in this position next year,” he said. He promised to “dissect the budget” and search for ways to “lower costs” while still doing what’s best for students. “We know people are feeling it,” he added.

Fiscal Accountability & Academic Record
While the millage rate itself rises about 11.5%, higher property values mean overall revenue collections will increase nearly 26%. School leaders say the additional funds will help preserve Effingham’s strong academic record, which includes a 90.7% graduation rate, above-average reading scores in elementary grades, and SAT results that top both state and national averages.

Ford  emphasized accountability in managing taxpayer funds. Every dollar from this millage rate increase is an investment directly tied to student learning, he said.

Effingham Schools recently earned a 4.5 Financial Efficiency Star Rating from the Georgia Department of Education, ranking fourth out of 180 school systems statewide.

Public Concerns
About 20 residents attended the final public hearing before the vote. Several property owners, retirees on fixed incomes, and business owners voiced frustration over rising appraisals, cost of living increases, and tax abatements for industry.

Historical Millage Rate Chart

Looking Ahead: ESPLOST Vote

Looking ahead, the district is preparing to ask voters in November to approve another ESPLOST (Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax). If passed, funds would go toward capital projects such as facility upgrades and technology improvements.