Man scoops £2.4million in lottery before investing winnings in crystal meth gang

02 August 2023 , 11:34

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Ronnie Music Jr was convicted after spending part of his lottery prize to fund a drug ring

A man scooped £2.4million in the lottery before he was caught investing his winnings in a crystal meth gang.

Ronnie Music Jr, a man from Waycross, won $3million (£2.35million) in the Georgia Lottery in 2015. Instead of using the money wisely, he invested part of it in a methamphetamine trafficking ring and got involved in multi-state drug trafficking.

Music was also convicted of being a felon in possession of firearms. He fronted a drug ring being run from a Georgia prison and later cooperated with federal agents in providing information about the drug trafficking operations.

It was operated through a connection between inmates in a prison, led by Daniel Alo, and external members, including Music.

Communication occurred through smuggled cellphones, and financial transactions were conducted using GreenDot cards. The operation involved transporting and distributing significant amounts of methamphetamine and had ties to drug cartels, gangs, and white supremacists.

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He was sentenced to 21 years in prison

Authorities determined that Music used his lottery winnings to front the operation. However, Music's later cooperation with federal agents led to the arrest and guilty pleas of several individuals involved in drug trafficking.

During the 2016 trial, Music's lawyer, Ronald Harrison of Brunswick, tried to downplay his client's involvement in the drug trafficking activities. He argued that at worst, Music was just a wholesaler in the drug ring, but the prosecution argued that he was a large-scale dealer who brought pounds of meth into the community. They also revealed his ties to drug cartels, the Bloods gang, and white supremacists.

Mr Harrison highlighted that Music came forward early and cooperated with federal agents, providing them with thorough and truthful information. He emphasized that Music's cooperation was a risk to him and his family.

Furthermore, the lawyer expressed surprise at how Music and his associates, whom he referred to as "The Apple Dumpling Gang," had reached the level they did in drug trafficking. Harrison also mentioned that Music had turned to alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and eventually methamphetamine as a way to cope with the tragedies in his life.

Chief US District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood, made some strong remarks before sentencing Ronnie Music Jr. She said, "You got a windfall that few in this world ever get. Nobody has ever blown lottery winnings in a more dangerous and destructive way than you did."

Despite his cooperation, Music was sentenced to 21 years in prison, a lighter sentence than the federal guidelines recommended. He was also ordered to pay a fine and serve five years on probation after his release.

Vassia Barba