ALBANY – A Tifton resident faces up to 40 years in federal prison for distributing kilograms of Mexico-sourced methamphetamine after he was caught with a pound of methamphetamine while wearing an ankle monitor for a prior drug trafficking charge and attempted to flee from deputies.

Travarious Deshawn Mike, 29, of Tifton, pleaded guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine before U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner on Feb. 3. Mike faces a maximum of 20 years in prison per count, to be followed by at least three years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine. A sentencing date will be determined by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The defendant was transporting large quantities of methamphetamine from an Atlanta source into the Tifton community. Even after his initial arrest, he willfully continued to violate the law and traffic dangerous drugs into Southwest Georgia,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Shanelle Booker. “Our office collaborates closely with local, state and federal law enforcement to ensure that repeat offenders who are causing significant harm in the Middle District of Georgia are stopped and held accountable for their actions.”

“This investigation resulting in the seizure of meth, heroin and firearms is a clear reminder of the dangerous networks we continue to dismantle,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The GBI remains committed to disrupting drug trafficking and criminal activity, especially those tied to dangerous sources of supply. This is a significant step in protecting our communities.”

A press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, citing court documents and statements referenced in court, said GBI agents recorded Mike providing methamphetamine during a controlled buy Aug. 15, 2022, in Tifton. A court-authorized tracking device monitored by the GBI captured him leaving Tifton for Atlanta Aug. 30, 2022. As he returned, Crisp County Sheriff’s Office deputies stopped him after they saw a defective tail light and window tint violation. The deputies seized 502 grams of heroin in Mike’s bookbag.

At the same time, the GBI asked the Tifton Police Department to conduct surveillance on Mike’s residence. TPD stopped a vehicle leaving his residence and found 8,068 grams of meth.

GBI executed a search warrant on the residence that same day and found guns, ammunition, methamphetamine and a set of digital scales. A vehicle parked outside and belonging to a co-defendant contained meth, a heroin-fentanyl mixture, 97 oxycodone/fentanyl plls, crack cocaine, plastic baggies and a digital scale.

Interviews, evidence and text messages on seized cell phones belonging to Mike and co-defendants revealed that Mike was purchasing methamphetamine from a Mexican source of supply based in the metro Atlanta area, the US Attorney’s Office said. Mike subsequently bonded out of jail.

On June 5, 2024, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office attempted to stop a white Charger after a traffic violation, but the driver — Mike — tried to escape and reached speeds over 125 miles per hour, the press release said. During the pursuit, the driver discarded a brick-shaped package that burst. Officers secured the area and recovered about a pound of meth. Mike lost control and crashed on the side of the highway. He attempted to flee on foot but was immediately apprehended, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. At the time of his arrest, Mike was wearing an ankle monitor and advised that he was out on bond for another drug trafficking incident.