Jarvis Matthews has been convicted for leading a large-scale drug trafficking and money laundering operation from Calhoun State Prison in Georgia. After a five-day trial, a jury found Matthews guilty of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl, five counts of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and conspiracy to commit money laundering. At the time of these federal crimes, Matthews was already serving life sentences without parole for murder.
“Matthews audaciously used contraband cell phones to run a drug trafficking operation from his state prison cell,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “Now, as a result of a diligent federal investigation and close coordination with state and local partners, this convicted murderer faces a substantial sentence in federal prison on top of his state sentence.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, stated: “Jarvis Matthews used the confines of a prison cell to orchestrate a multi-million-dollar drug trafficking and money laundering operation, exploiting his family and the prison system to further his criminal enterprise. This case underscores the FBI’s commitment to dismantling transnational criminal organizations and holding accountable those who think they can operate beyond the reach of the law.”
Court documents show that while incarcerated at Georgia Department of Corrections facilities, Matthews directed drug distribution in Atlanta using contraband cellphones. He involved several family members—including his fiancée, girlfriends, nephew, and two adult sons—in distributing drugs and handling proceeds.
In early 2022, FBI agents discovered that Matthews was using social media accounts for drug deals. A controlled purchase involving two kilograms of methamphetamine was made through one of his sons in April 2022; this son had previously pleaded guilty in federal court related to the case. The FBI then obtained authorization for wiretaps on Matthews’s phone and installed surveillance cameras at locations tied to the operation. These measures led authorities to apprehend customers after they received drugs from Matthews’s sons. Testimony indicated that he oversaw distribution of multiple kilograms of internationally-sourced drugs around metro Atlanta and laundered hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Matthews now faces at least 25 years in federal prison—this sentence will be served consecutively after his current state term. The final sentencing date has not yet been set; sentencing guidelines will be considered but are not binding.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation with help from several agencies including the Georgia Department of Corrections; Georgia State Patrol; sheriff’s offices from Coweta County (Georgia), Dooly County (Georgia), Etowah County (Alabama); Fayetteville Police Department; Newton County Sheriff’s Office; Marshall County (Alabama) Drug Task Force; and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Johnny Baer and John DeGenova are prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations as well as reducing violent crime across communities by leveraging resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Additionally, this case falls under Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) efforts established by Executive Order 14159 which targets criminal cartels operating within or affecting U.S borders through coordinated interagency action involving multiple federal departments alongside state agencies.
