'Career Offender' Caught With Meth 2 Months After Prison Release

ROME, GA — A Floyd County man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute at least 50 grams of methamphetamine less than two months after he was released from state custody. Barry Keith Shedd, 46, of Rome, will have to serve 20 years followed by 10 years of supervised released, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia said.

U.S. Attorney BJay Pak said Shedd had already served time in prison for selling drugs "when he chose to return to criminal activity."

“Shedd took his freedom for granted, and now he will serve 20 years in federal prison, where there is no parole," he added.

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According to federal prosecutors, Shedd crashed his vehicle in an accident on Aug. 17, 2017, in Floyd County. He was seen entering a wooded area at the crash site and returning to his car. Because of his history of being involved with drugs, a K-9 unit was dispatched to search the area near the crash site.

Officers unearthed a bag containing a quarter kilogram of meth, 110 pills, digital scales, hypodermic needles and Shedd’s prison ID card, the U.S. Attorney's Office said. Police also seized $3,253 in cash.

Shedd had only just been released from prison 58 days earlier for a prior drug offense. Because of his repeat convictions for trafficking in meth, the court designated Shedd a career offender, the U.S. Attorney's Office added.

Shedd's sentenced was issued Thursday, July 12 by U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy after pleading in to the charges in January. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Floyd County Police Department, Polk County Police Department, and Rome/Floyd Metro Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Alison Prout prosecuted the case.

“On the date Shedd was arrested he was cooperative and if not for the vehicle accident would surely still be what I consider a menace to society," Major Carl Lively of the Floyd County Police Department said. "It is apparent that the incarceration period and release just prior to this arrest did not have the desired effect of guiding Shedd toward rehabilitation."

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