AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – The 10th defendant charged in an Augusta-area drug trafficking conspiracy has been found guilty at trial, representing the final defendant in the case with all others currently serving prison terms, I found out on Thursday.

Donnie Skillman, 47, of Augusta, faces life in federal prison after being convicted of methamphetamine trafficking and firearms charges, said Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.

After a two-day trial in U.S. District Court, a jury found Skillman guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and possession of a firearm with a serial number deleted.

Skillman was one of 10 defendants charged in U.S. v. Walters et al., an indictment unsealed in December 2023 that identifies a major methamphetamine trafficking operation that distributes the drug throughout the Augusta area.

THE LEGAL CASE

The other defendants: Here is their status

1. The other nine defendants are serving federal prison terms after pleading guilty to drug-trafficking conspiracy charges, including:
2. Edward Jake Waltersaka “State Farm,” aka “Jake from State Farm,” 30, of Grovetown, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500.
3. Phillip Smith50, of Augusta, was sentenced to 156 months in prison and fined $1,500.
4. Dustin Bayles36, of Thomson, was sentenced to 135 months in prison and fined $1,500.
5. Glen Taylor43, of Beech Island, was sentenced to 37 months in prison and fined $1,500.
6. Linda Campbell54, of Augusta, was sentenced to 68 months in prison and fined $1,000.
7. Joshua Wasden36, of Thomson, was sentenced to 120 months in prison and fined $2,000.
8. Brian Hilliard41, of Augusta, was sentenced to 108 months in prison and fined $2,500.
9. Gary Holcomb61, of Martinez, sentenced to 188 months in prison and fined $2,000.
10. Destiny Poole24, of Grovetown, was sentenced to 87 months in prison and fined $1,500.

Smith, Hilliard and Holcomb also pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

U.S. District Court Judge J. Randal Hall will schedule Skillman’s sentencing following the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Services.

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