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Arrest made in drug case

J.D. Sumner

COLUMBUS — A defendant in what officials have labeled a massive South Georgia drug manufacturing conspiracy was ordered detained Tuesday during his initial appearances in federal court, court officials said.

Riley Trae McDaniel, 35, who federal prosecutors say was involved in what they have dubbed the 1,000-plant conspiracy, was arrested by state authorities this weekend in Tallahassee on a probation violation for manufacturing marijuana, Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen said.

U.S. Marshals escorted McDaniel before Federal Magistrate Mallon Faircloth Tuesday for his initial appearance and detention hearing, officials with the Middle District of Georgia's Criminal Clerk's office said.

According to a signed affidavit written by a DEA Task Force Agent assigned to the case, several confidential witnesses told federal investigators that McDaniel taught Frank Spring – who is currently in jail in Lee County for his role in the conspiracy – ho to grow marijuana and that McDaniel would sell the marijuana out of his Marietta home for $300 an ounce.

According to the affidavit, one of the witnesses, identified only as CW No. 1, told investigators he would travel to Atlanta and buy marijuana from McDaniel for resale in the Albany area.

Another witness, identified as CW No. 3, said he had bought marijuana from Spring in Asheville, N.C., and in Albany, and that he and CW No. 2, were preparing to restart the grow operation at Florida Short Route when they were arrested in July 2007, according to court documents.

McDaniel is also believed to have taught co-conspirator Charles Rick "Chuckie" Payne III, how to grow marijuana. All total, at least four witnesses involved in the 1,000-plant conspiracy are believed to have bought and learned how to grow marijuana from McDaniel, court documents show.

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