KC Pit BBQ owners among seven indicted on drug charges
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.
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.
About the Author
A native Atlantan, Boone joined the AJC staff in 2007. He quickly carved out a niche covering crime stories, assuming the public safety beat in 2014. He's covered some of the biggest trials this decade, from Hemy Neuman to Ross Harris to Chip Olsen, the latter of which was featured on Season 7 of the AJC's award-winning "Breakdown" podcast.
