Gwinnett Man Sentenced For Drug-Deal Murder

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A Gwinnett County man was sentenced to life in prison after being convicted of murder in a drug deal gone bad last year.

Sean Swanson, 24, was convicted Wednesday on felony murder and drug charges.

According to testimony at Swanson's trial, his co-defendant Tia Coleman — who was 17 at the time — contacted Noel Reed, of Duluth, last August looking to sell a pound of marijuana. She asked Swanson to go with her to make the deal because she knew Swanson carried a gun.

Locations for the meeting changed several times, but the three eventually met up at a Waffle House, where Reed only had $600 with him — less than half what Coleman was asking for the marijuana. Reed then said he had to leave to pick up his child, which, according to Coleman's testimony, made Swanson suspicious.

Later, the three met at Lake Sweetwater Apartments near Lawrenceville. Reed accepted marijuana from Coleman, then pulled a "large pistol" and pointed it at Swanson.

Swanson then reached for his gun and shot Reed twice. Coleman and Swanson tried to leave the apartment complex but got lost. Then Swanson returned to retrieve the now-bloody bag of marijuana from off of Reed's body.

During the trial, Reed's mother traveled from Tennessee to give a statement. She said she forgives Swanson and wishes him no harm. After a day and a half of deliberations, the jury convicted Swanson on all counts against him.

Superior Court Judge George F. Hutchinson, III sentenced him to life in prison.

Swanson and Coleman both were charged with murder in the case. Three others who were in the vehicle with them when they were stopped by police on Old Norcross Road face charges of marijuana possession with intent to distribute.

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