Cherokee Man Sentenced After Trafficking 33 Grams Of Meth

CANTON, GA — A Cherokee County jury found a local man guilty of trafficking meth, according to reports.

William Roscoe Cherry, 43, was found guilty of trafficking methamphetamine, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana, and possession of drug related objects.

The jury deliberated less than an hour before finding Cherry guilty on all charges after a three-day trail that ended on Feb. 10.

Charges stem from a traffic stop on Hickory Flat Highway. Just before midnight on Oct. 15, 2020, a Cherokee Sheriff’s Office deputy initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle fail to maintain its lane. While speaking to the driver, deputies smelled marijuana then searched the car, finding bags and containers of methamphetamine totaling 33 grams, a bag of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia, including a marijuana grinder, meth smoking pipes, and black scales.

“The District Attorney’s Office is grateful for law enforcement’s efforts to obtain justice in this case and allowing us the honor to present their unequaled work-product as we strive together to maintain law and order in our community,” said Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Fogus, who prosecuted this case on behalf of the state.

On Feb. 17, Senior Judge Frank C. Mills, III sentenced Cherry to 30 years, with the first 15 years to be served in confinement and the remainder to be served on probation. Due to his previous felony convictions, he was sentenced as a recidivist, which requires him to serve the 15-year prison portion of the sentence in confinement without the possibility of parole. Once Cherry is released from prison, he is banned from Cherokee County, forbidden from contacting his co-defendant, and ordered to pay a fine and court costs totaling more than $300,000.

“This defendant has had numerous opportunities to turn his life around and step away from criminal activity,” District Attorney Shannon Wallace said. “Instead, he has continued to distribute methamphetamine to others in our county. Enough is enough. This sentence ensures this defendant will be unable to distribute this poison in Cherokee County for many years.”

This case was investigated by the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Geoffrey Fogus, Cherokee County District Attorney’s Office.