On Wednesday August 30, 2023, Nicholas Ashley was convicted of Trafficking Methamphetamine and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute in the Superior Court of Chattooga County. The trial began August 28, 2023 and concluded with a guilty verdict in front of the Honorable Chief Judge Kristina Cook Graham.
During the course of the trial, it was presented to the jury that Nicholas Ashley was a drug courier acting on behalf of an individual serving life in the Department of Corrections. Lead Investigator Gary Campbell of the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office was able to set up surveillance on a drug delivery into Chattooga County. Along with members of the LMJC Drug Task Force and the Chattooga County Sherriff’s Department, Agent Campbell stopped the introduction of 161 grams of methamphetamine into Chattooga County.
Mr. Ashley’s sentencing hearing immediately followed the verdict. Ashley had five prior felony convictions for Burglary, Theft, and Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, which the Court considered in sentencing Ashley to serve twenty (20) years in the Department of Corrections without parole. The State of Georgia was represented by Assistant District Attorney Winston Franklin who was assisted by administrative assistant Elena Floyd and witness coordinator Cara Parris.
“Fighting the methamphetamine and opioid epidemic is a top priority from my office” stated District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “Taking this poison off the streets and holding drug dealers accountable is made easy by Sheriff Mark Schrader’s dedicated staff.”
