Pubdate: Thu, 21 Jun 2001
Source: Augusta Chronicle, The (GA)
Copyright: 2001 The Augusta Chronicle
Contact:  http://www.augustachronicle.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/31
Author: Vicky Eckenrode, Staff Writer

PROSECUTION OUTLINES DRUG CASE

Grovetown Man Kept Up Illegal Activity After Learning Of 
Investigation, Agent Says

Even after Robert Snell knew he was the target of an investigation, he
continued to conduct business as usual, prosectors said in federal
court Wednesday. Mr. Snell, 45, is accused of heading a narcotics
trade operation that brought in millions of dollars. He appeared in
court Wednesday for a detainment hearing, at which a judge denied him
bond.

Magistrate Judge W. Leon Barfield said there was sufficient evidence
to rule that, if released, Mr. Snell would pose a threat to the
community's safety and might flee to avoid prosecution. He pleaded not
guilty during his arraignment June 11 - the day he was arrested.

The Grovetown man is charged with conspiracy and engaging in a
continual enterprise of selling large amounts of cocaine,
methamphetamines, Ecstasy and marijuana.

Mr. Snell is charged under what is known as the ''kingpin'' statute,
which carries a minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum
of life.

During the hearing, Patrick Clayton, a special agent for the federal
Drug Enforcement Administration, outlined undercover operations and
interviews conducted with Mr. Snell's alleged co-conspirators.

Agent Clayton showed a police video of a May 5 meeting between Mr.
Snell and one of his associates, Jay Brooks Jennings, who later
pleaded guilty to federal drug charges that are in a sealed indictment
and is awaiting sentencing.

Mr. Snell reportedly called Mr. Jennings at the end of April and
offered to front him a kilogram of cocaine and six pounds of
methamphetamines, Agent Clayton said.

At that time, agents already had searched Mr. Snell's residence and a
grand jury had started issuing subpoenas for Mr. Snell's family and
friends.

The same day that police videotaped and recorded his meeting with Mr.
Jennings, Mr. Snell drove a witness to testify at a grand jury hearing
to secure indictments against him.

Mr. Jennings told investigators that he and Mr. Snell would often meet
in the parking lot of an Augusta gas station, Agent Clayton said.

There, Mr. Snell reportedly would give Mr. Jennings the key to a hotel
room and instructions about where to find a load of narcotics.

On the videotape, Mr. Snell's voice filled the courtroom as he spoke
to Mr. Jennings about ''white,'' which Agent Clayton said was a code
name for cocaine, and ''racing gas,'' a code for methamphetamines.

On the video, Mr. Snell mentioned the lack of evidence he believed
that authorities had against him.

''If (Agent Clayton) had anything, we wouldn't be riding around,'' he
said.

Wearing a prison-issued orange jumpsuit and shackled at the feet, Mr.
Snell watched the tape of himself without noticeable emotion.

Investigators taped another conversation between Mr. Snell and an
associate. In it, Agent Clayton said, Mr. Snell met with Nicholas
Mims, who was recording the conversation, at Logan's Roadhouse in west
Augusta and advised Mr. Mims on ways to flee the country.

Police arrested Mr. Mims and Gilbert Lewis during a narcotics raid in
February 2000. Mr. Mims received a prison sentence of nine years and
four months, with five years of supervised release, according to his
case file.

''I've got some friends in Acapulco or Cancun where you can enjoy the
rest of your life,'' Mr. Snell told Mr. Mims, Agent Clayton said.

Based on the agent's testimony, Judge Barfield said he did not feel
comfortable with the conditions of release that Mr. Snell's attorney
offered. A trial date has not been set.

Ed Tolley, Mr. Snell's attorney, said after the hearing that he
realized the seriousness of the charges his client is facing.

''I understand it's going to be a difficult case,'' he said. ''We were
able (Wednesday) to look at the allegations in depth.''
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