Eight individuals have received federal prison sentences for their roles in a large-scale fentanyl trafficking organization that distributed hundreds of thousands of pills in the Green Bay and Milwaukee areas, following an investigation that seized over 175,000 fentanyl pills. The sentences, handed down by Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach, conclude a significant federal probe into the group known as “GTR,” short for “Getting to Riches.”
Ricky Q. Chambers, 29, of Green Bay, received the longest sentence of 204 months in prison after being found guilty following a jury trial. Other defendants, who largely pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, include Jaylen T. Allen (168 months), Peyton Shipman-Allen (167 months), Taviaun S. Love (120 months), Darius D. Ricks (120 months), Xzavier T. Newsom (108 months), and Eugene L. Herrod (48 months), all primarily from Green Bay or Milwaukee. Devinique E. Manjarrez, 28, of Goodyear, Arizona, received time served.
The organization sourced large quantities of fentanyl pills from Phoenix, Arizona, shipping them to the Midwest for distribution. Members of GTR flaunted their illicit gains on social media, displaying luxury items, large amounts of cash, and producing rap videos. In one video, Jaylen Allen was quoted saying, “We really rich off nothing but fentanyl.” An expert testified that fentanyl pills bought for as little as 50 cents in Phoenix could resell for up to $20 in Green Bay, and that seven out of ten pills tested contain a potentially lethal dose.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel said, “While the sentencing of the last of the defendants in this drug conspiracy brings the court cases to a conclusion, the harm these individuals have caused to the very fabric of our communities will continue to reverberate for years.” FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr added that the FBI “will continue to work with our partners to aggressively investigate and combat violent crime and drug trafficking.” Brown County Sheriff Todd Delain emphasized the commitment to holding drug traffickers accountable.
The investigation involved the Brown County Drug Task Force, Dakota County (Minnesota) Drug Task Force, MSP Airport Police Department, DEA Green Bay Resident Office and Phoenix Division, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).