LOWNDES COUNTY, Ga. (WALB) — Two Lowndes County residents are facing up to life in prison for methamphetamine distribution following a tip from a concerned citizen.

Forty-one-year-old Melissa Lynn James and 28-year-old Ryan Daniel Williams of Naylor, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

James and Williams will face a minimum of 10 years in prison, to be followed by at least five years of supervised release, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia.

A release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office shows investigators with the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a concerned citizen in November 2025 about potential methamphetamine distribution.

Investigators staged a controlled purchase from Williams on Nov. 4, 2025, at the Big Foot Truck Stop in Lowndes County. During the drug bust, Williams ran from deputies, attempting to hide 11 grams of methamphetamine by throwing it. Deputies say he was caught quickly.

Deputies prevented James from driving away from the scene after she jumped into the driver’s seat of Williams’ car.

A search of the vehicle resulted in 81 grams of methamphetamine and a digital scale being seized. A search of James’ home, where Williams stayed, resulted in 1,004 grams of methamphetamine being recovered.

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