Canton Man Pleads Guilty To Trafficking Meth, Sentenced To 45 Years

CANTON — A 36-year-old Canton man was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said in a news release Thursday.

Treadaway said James Aaron Aldred IV, 36, entered a negotiated plea deal on Aug. 17 to charges relating to the manufacturing, trafficking and distribution of methamphetamine.

Authorities began investigating Aldred in January after the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad learned of a multi-state drug trafficking organization during which people were accused of traveling from Tennessee to Cherokee to pick up large amounts of methamphetamine, Treadaway said.

Those accused intended to distribute the methamphetamine to northern Tennessee and southern Virginia, Treadaway said.

The Drug Enforcement Administration identified Aldred as the drug courier in Cherokee, Treadaway said, adding he handled the methamphetamine before it was transported.

"After receiving DEA intelligence, CMANS began closely monitoring Aldred and observed as he conducted large drug transactions in a Kroger parking lot on Marietta Highway in Canton. CMANS undercover agents also purchased methamphetamine directly from Aldred in a controlled narcotics transaction," read the release from Treadaway.

Agents executed a search warrant on April 19 at Aldred's home, where Treadaway said they found nearly 8 pounds of methamphetamine in multiple Ziploc bags inside of a bathroom shower and bedroom.

A methamphetamine conversion lab and four pitchers filled with nearly 10 pounds of liquid methamphetamine were also found in the home, Treadaway said. The pitchers were being converted into a solid substance for selling, she said.

Aldred was accused of buying and selling large amounts of illegal narcotics and engaging with buyers and suppliers.

Treadaway said Aldred handled 12-25 kilos of methamphetamine at a time while working for a suspected drug cartel she said is led by a federal inmate who is currently incarcerated for selling methamphetamine.

Aldred was sentenced to 45 years, with 25 years to be served in prison and the remainder to be served on probation, Treadaway said. Aldred must also complete 200 hours of community service and pay court costs and fines totaling $1,850,055.

A co-defendant pled guilty to lesser charges and received an unknown sentence, Treadaway said.

“This sentence ensures that another drug trafficker stays off our streets, where he is no longer able to spread dangerous drugs,” Treadaway said in the release. “CMANS did a phenomenal job in investigating this case and bringing this defendant to justice. With drug trafficking organizations now in communities across the country, it is important that we remain vigilant and work together to dismantle these cartels.”