Georgia inmate convicted of running multi-million dollar drug, money laundering operation from behind bars

ATLANTA — A violent felon was convicted of running a multi-million dollar drug-trafficking and money laundering operation from behind bars, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

While serving a life without parole sentence in Calhoun State Prison in Morgan, Georgia, 46-year-old Jarvis Matthews used contraband cellphones to direct the distribution of drugs in and around Atlanta, according to U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg and other information presented in court.

“Matthews audaciously used contraband cell phones to run a drug trafficking operation from his state prison cell,” Hertzberg said. 

The investigation began in July when FBI agents identified a social media account that Matthews used to conduct dozens of drug deals. Agents say Matthews used his fiancée, girlfriends, nephew and two adult sons to distribute drugs and collect and launder money. 

“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,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “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.”

Agents say they purchased two kilograms of methamphetamine from Matthews in April 2022 through his son, Charvis Harris, who previously pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess controlled substances with intent to distribute. 

The FBI obtained a court-authorized wiretap on Matthews’ phone and installed a camera at one of his drug trap houses. With those tools, agents apprehended Matthews’ drug customers after they received drugs from Matthews’ sons. 

Trial testimony showed that Matthews masterminded the distribution of multiple kilograms of internationally sourced drugs in the metro-Atlanta area and laundered hundreds of thousands of drug proceeds. 

After five days on 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.

Matthews is facing a mandatory minimum of 25 years to run consecutively to the state prison sentence he is already serving. 

The sentencing hearing has not been scheduled, and to determine the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing for most offenders.