COLUMBUS, Ga. — Ten defendants have now been sentenced for their roles in a large-scale armed drug trafficking organization dismantled through “Operation Sweet Silence,” a multi-agency federal investigation that removed significant quantities of methamphetamine, cocaine, marijuana and firearms from the streets of Columbus.
According to federal prosecutors, the organization was led by Tommie Mullins Jr., 31, also known as “TJ,” “Bo,” and “Mini,” who was linked to the violent Zohannon criminal street gang. Investigators said Mullins and his co-conspirators distributed large amounts of narcotics throughout the community while operating out of a residence on Cove Circle.
Sentences Imposed
All ten defendants, each from Columbus, received the following prison sentences:
- Tommie Mullins Jr., 31 – 20 years (sentenced Feb. 10, 2026)
- Trenton Clemons, 48 – 25 years
- Corey Turner, 33 – 20 years
- Adrian Palmer, 25 – 14 years
- Trenton Thomas, 25 – 11 years, 3 months
- Anthony Champion, 46 – 7 years, 3 months
- Javonta Paden, 25 – 5 years, 11 months
- Christopher Hill, 36 – 2 years
- Adrian Pleasants, 29 – 1 year, 8 months
- Darius Jenkins, 24 – 1 year, 6 months
Inside the Investigation
The case was built using court-authorized wiretaps, physical surveillance and coordinated law enforcement efforts. Investigators intercepted calls detailing drug transactions and observed repeated patterns of suspects leaving the Cove Circle residence to conduct narcotics sales.
In March 2023, agents intercepted calls arranging drug deals, including a half-kilogram sale and other large transactions. Surveillance captured multiple defendants coordinating sales and distributing drugs on behalf of Mullins and Turner…