Canton Man Sentenced To 30 Years On Drug Charges: DA

CANTON, GA — A Canton man was recently sentenced to prison for trafficking methamphetamine and for being in possession of cocaine relating to a March 2022 traffic stop, Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway said Friday.

In a news release, Treadaway said James Richard Fain, 42, pleaded guilty to the charges on June 21. He was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 10 years to serve in prison and the remainder to serve on probation.

Authorities began investigating Fain during a traffic stop on March 2, 2022. Treadaway said a Cherokee County deputy stopped Fain in a black Kia Optima when he failed to maintain his lane on Interstate 575 north.

The deputy smelled raw marijuana coming from the Optima, prompting the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad to search the vehicle, Treadaway said.

She added methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana in multiple baggies were found inside of the Optima and in Fain’s jean pocket. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 100.8 grams.

“At the time of his arrest, this defendant had in his possession enough methamphetamine to dose over 100 people," Assistant District Attorney Rachel Clark said in the release.

"He also admitted to the narcotics agents that the drugs inside the vehicle were his and that he intended to sell them. Thanks to the excellent work of CMANS agents, those drugs never made their way onto our streets and this defendant was prosecuted for his crimes.”

Fain has to complete community service, pay fines and not be in possession of guns as part of special conditions given during his sentencing, Treadaway said. He also cannot use alcohol or drugs, the district attorney said.