Athens Resident Pleads Guilty To Distribution Of Crack Cocaine

ATHENS: Charles E. Peeler, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announces that Patrick O’Neal Kennedy, age 42, of Athens, Georgia, pled guilty on October 2, 2018 to Distribution of Cocaine Base before U.S. District Court Judge Hugh Lawson in Athens, Georgia.

In entering his plea, Mr. Kennedy admitted that on March 23, 2018, he sold crack cocaine to a confidential informant working on behalf of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department in exchange for $600.  The sale of crack cocaine was recorded with an audio/video device worn by the confidential informant.  Mr. Kennedy has prior felony convictions for Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2017), Possession of Cocaine (2014), and Possession of Cocaine with Intent to Distribute (2006).

Mr. Kennedy faces a term of imprisonment of not more than twenty (20) years, a $1,000,000 fine, or both, and at least three (3) years of supervised release.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Leary is prosecuting the case for the United States.                                               

Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.