Two people convicted of conspiring to sell methamphetamine in East Alabama
A federal jury in Opelika, Alabama convicted Andre Tremayne Franklin, 38, from Columbus, Georgia, and Kahlia Nichelle Washington, 27, from Phenix City, Alabama, for their roles in an east Alabama drug trafficking operation, announced United States Attorney Sandra J. Stewart on July 11, 2023.
According to court records and evidence presented at trial, the DEA began an investigation of a suspected drug trafficking operation in 2020.
The investigation eventually revealed that a Columbus, Georgia man, Justin Garrett, 30, was supplying methamphetamine and cocaine to Franklin and others to be resold. The jury heard evidence that Franklin would commonly store and sell the illegal drugs in a “stash house” in Phenix City. Washington helped Franklin run the stash house and would contact Franklin when customers would arrive.
Garrett pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute on June 22, 2023, and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for October 5, 2023. A sentencing date for Franklin and Washington will be set in the coming months. At sentencing, Franklin and Garrett each face a sentence of up to life in prison. Washington could receive a sentence of anywhere from 5 to 40 years.
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