Leader of Multi-State Drug Trafficking Network Convicted After Federal Jury Trial

ATLANTA – A federal jury convicted Roderick Battle, the leader of a nationwide drug trafficking organization, of multiple drug trafficking, money laundering, and firearms-related charges. 

“Despite a prior conviction for trafficking narcotics, Battle was undeterred, operating a prolific drug trafficking network that supplied large quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other narcotics throughout the country,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “This conviction reaffirms the steadfast dedication of my office and our federal and state law enforcement partners in the Homeland Security Task Force to protect the public from individuals who poison our communities with deadly drugs.” 

“Roderick Battle led a sophisticated, multi-state drug trafficking operation that flooded communities across the country with dangerous narcotics, including fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “This conviction is a testament to the strong partnerships and coordinated efforts of law enforcement to dismantle these criminal networks and hold those responsible accountable.”

“Cases of this magnitude are not solved by one agency alone,” said Michael J. Connolly, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “This investigation demonstrates what can be accomplished when federal, state, and local law enforcement partners work together with a shared mission. As part of the Homeland Security Task Force, our collective efforts exposed a sophisticated drug trafficking and money laundering network, disrupted its operations, and secured a conviction against the individual responsible for leading it.”

According to U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court:  Between at least January 2021 and December 2024, Battle and his conspirators concealed drugs and drug proceeds in guitar amplifiers and transported the drugs nationwide using a stolen FedEx account that belonged to a sports memorabilia company. Additionally, Battle and his conspirators transported drugs hidden beneath vehicles on tow trucks. 

On May 6, 2023, the Pennsylvania State Police intercepted a package that contained six kilograms of cocaine shipped from Battle’s residence in southeast Atlanta. Four days later, federal and state law enforcement executed a search warrant at Battle’s home and seized large quantities of narcotics, including fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, all packaged for distribution. Agents also located two firearms under Battle’s bed and approximately $76,000 in cash. 

Federal agents arrested Battle on a criminal complaint that day. While Battle was detained in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending trial, he continued to facilitate the distribution of narcotics using a contraband cellular telephone.   

On November 3, 2026, a federal jury convicted Roderick Battle, 49, of Atlanta, Georgia, of conspiracy and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin, as well as money laundering and firearms-related charges. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 2, 2027, before U.S. District Judge J.P. Boulee. 

Battle faces a mandatory minimum 20 years in prison. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Pennsylvania State Police, with valuable assistance provided by the Georgia State Patrol.

Assistant United States Attorneys Dwayne A. Brown Jr., Brock Brockington, John DeGenova, and Patrick Cespedes are prosecuting the case.

This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. The Atlanta Wilhelm HSTF is comprised of agents and officers from ATF, CGIS, DEA, FBI, ICE-HSI, IRS-CI, DOL-OIG, DSS, USMS, USPIS, and USSS, as well as numerous state and local agencies, with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.