Multiple defendants sentenced to federal prison in separate cases (DOJ)

SAVANNAH, Georgia: Several defendants pleaded guilty in district court for charges including distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl possession, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The sentences were imposed in U.S. District Court and announced by Margaret E. "Meg" Heap, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

• Jason Chapman, a/k/a "Shane Copeland", 50, of Waynesville, was sentenced to 102 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Distribution of More than 5 Grams of Methamphetamine.

According to court documents and testimony, in February 2025, investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration began an investigation into drug trafficking activities of the defendant. Special agents with the DEA determined through various means of investigation that Chapman sold quantities of methamphetamine in Brantley County.

• Kyle Ashley Edmunds, 44, of Augusta, was sentenced to 96 months in prison and a $2,500 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl.

According to court documents and testimony, in April 2025, Edmunds was the subject of an investigation based on illegal firearms possession despite prior felony convictions when investigators determined that the defendant was actively selling illegal narcotics, including methamphetamine and fentanyl.

• Keith L. Polite, 41, of Thomson, was sentenced to 57 months in prison and a $2,000 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

According to court documents and testimony, in December 2024, Polite was found in possession of a firearm, a Sterling Arms, Model 300, .25-caliber pistol and a DPMS model A-15, .223-caliber rifle. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.

• Hunter Tucker Baxley, 32, of Evans, was sentenced to 46 months in prison and a $10,000 fine followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

According to court documents and testimony, in August 2025, Baxley was found in possession of a firearm, a Fabrique Nationale, 509 Tactical, 9 mm pistol during an encounter with the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Under federal law, it is prohibited for previously convicted felons to possess firearms or ammunition.

There is no parole in the federal system.

"Our priority is to ensure that individuals that violate the law are removed from the streets of our community," said U.S. Attorney Heap. "Through effective interagency cooperation with our law enforcement partners, we are ensuring those that violate the law are brought to justice."

These cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Brantley County Sheriff's Office, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Richmond County Sheriff's Office, and additional law enforcement agencies.

These cases were prosecuted for the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jennifer J. Kirkland, Henry W. Syms Jr., and Kelsey L. Scanlon.