Savannah Standard

A Chatham County man has been sentenced to nearly 15 years in federal prison for his role as a leader in a drug trafficking network. Kenyona Pinckney, 33, from Savannah, received a sentence of 178 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy charges related to cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana distribution. U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg announced the sentence will run consecutively with Pinckney's current state imprisonment for another conviction. Chief Judge R. Stan Baker also mandated three years of supervised release following his prison term.

U.S. Attorney Steinberg stated, "The conspiracy identified in this investigation was responsible for distributing multiple kilograms of illegal drugs in the greater Savannah area and beyond." She credited law enforcement's investigative efforts for the successful outcome.

Court documents revealed that while serving a state sentence at the Georgia Department of Corrections Transition Center in Columbus, Pinckney used contraband cell phones to manage drug shipments into Savannah and surrounding counties. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) initially uncovered the operation when agents linked drugs entering Virginia to one of Pinckney’s co-conspirators in Savannah.

The January 2024 indictment charged Pinckney along with 12 others involved in the conspiracy. Of these co-defendants, four have been sentenced following guilty pleas; two await sentencing; and five are awaiting further proceedings and are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, emphasized their commitment: "Whether drug dealers operate out on the street or behind bars, the Drug Enforcement Administration stands ready to deliver justice."

Andrea Coffey from Customs and Border Protection expressed ongoing dedication: "Customs and Border Protection officers remain committed to working with our valued local, state, and federal partners to keep dangerous drugs from reaching our community’s streets."

Jason Krizmanich from the Postal Inspection Service highlighted collaborative efforts: "This case highlights the broad reach of the law enforcement community to bring together federal, state and local partners to dismantle a large distributor of illicit drugs."

The Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) led this investigation using an integrated approach involving multiple agencies including DEA, Georgia Ports Authority Police Department, U.S. Customs and Border Protection among others. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Z. Spitulnik and Marcela C. Mateo prosecuted for Southern District of Georgia.