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Cedric “Preacher Man” Manior, pastor of New Beginnings International Outreach Ministry in Soperton, Georgia, was sentenced today to ten years in prison after he was convicted of “conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and to being a felon in possession of firearms.” Manior took literally the words in the Bible that say, “arm yourselves.” At his arrest, agents seized twenty firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition, along with a plethora of drugs and drug distribution equipment.
The Savannah Morning News reports:
Minister Cedric Manior, 44, of Rincon was sentenced Friday to 10 years of incarceration by United States District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood.
Manior was convicted last August of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine and to being a felon in possession of firearms.
Evidence presented in court filings and at sentencing revealed that Manior, also known as “Preacher Man” and a minister of New Beginnings International Outreach Ministry, was involved in a major drug trafficking organization that sold cocaine and crack cocaine in the Southern District of Georgia and elsewhere.
Manior stored and sold drugs from his home in Rincon, according to a press release from United States Attorney Bobby L. Christine. Manior also directed his adult son, Cameron Edwards, to sell illegal drugs on his behalf.
In January 2017, Chatham Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) agents, along with the Savannah-Chatham SWAT team executed a search warrant at Manior’s residence in Rincon. Agents seized marijuana, methamphetamine, prescription medication, drug scales, drug manufacturing and distribution tools, heat-sealing machine, baggies, beakers, body armor, cash, 20 firearms, AR-style magazines and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
On his bed, next to his Bible, agents found a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Near his church robe, agents found a Tec 9, assault semi-automatic style pistol with an extended magazine that is capable of holding over 15 rounds of ammunition.
Drug trafficking supplies and firearms were located throughout the residence. Many of the weapons were stolen. Manior was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because he was previously convicted of six prior felony convictions for felonies committed on six separate dates.
Upon release from federal prison, Manior will be on court supervision for three years. There is no parole in the federal system.
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