KC Pit BBQ owners among seven indicted on drug charges

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The owners of a popular Sandy Springs barbecue restaurant face drug and money laundering charges following a June 17 raid by the Internal Revenue Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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Bob Andres, bandres@ajc.com KC Pit BBQ has closed for good shortly after federal agents searched the property located on Roswell Road in Sandy Springs.

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Restaurant co-owner Shannon Johnson, charged with money laundering conspiracy, is out on a $75,000 bond, but her husband, Jiles Johnson, and five co-conspirators remain behind bars, said special assistant U.S. attorney Mike Smith. Schawn Wortham, charged with money laundering conspiracy, was also released on a $75,000 bond.

The restaurant, located at 6317 Roswell Road, reopened briefly after the raid but was closed for good about a month later.

Also charged in the investigation:

Thallas Amie, charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm in a drug trafficking offense; Laverne Simon, charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine; Mark Walker, charged with conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine and money laundering conspiracy; and Jacques Degaule, charged with money laundering conspiracy.