An Appling County man has been handed down a 68-month federal prison sentence for methamphetamine trafficking. Christopher Eric Stone, 40, from Baxley, Georgia, pled guilty to Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and will additionally face three years of supervised release after completing his prison term, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia reported.
U.S. District Court Judge Lisa Godbey Wood handed down Stone's sentence, with no possibility of parole, given the federal nature of the charges. According to U.S. Attorney Jill E. Steinberg, “Christopher Stone has a substantial history of arrests and convictions in Appling County, dating back more than two decades.” Steinberg emphasizes the community's need for respite from Stone's criminal activities, adding that his substantial time in prison will offer some measure of relief, as per the press release.
Stone's apprehension came as a result of two incidents involving the Appling County Sheriff's Office. While he was out on bond for state charges, he was caught with methamphetamine during a traffic stop. This mirrored a previous incident where deputies found him in possession of the drug during another traffic-related arrest. His arrest record spans multiple convictions, covering both drug trafficking and domestic violence, primarily in the Baxley area.
Mark Melton, Appling County Sheriff, expressed gratitude towards federal collaborators such as the DEA and the U.S. Attorney's Office. “The sanctions we see through this partnership make a statement that we are not going to tolerate drug dealers and if they choose to do so here, there will be severe repercussions,” Melton stated in a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Special Agent in Charge of the DEA's Atlanta Division, Robert J. Murphy, similarly recognized the effort, confirming the DEA's dedication to battling drug traffickers in the community.
The successful prosecution of Stone was the outcome of a joint investigation by the Appling County Sheriff's Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The case against Stone was managed on behalf of the United States by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley R. Thompson.
