Wednesday, September 6, 2023–11:02 a.m.
-John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com.
A judge ordered a Rome man to turn himself in on Friday after pleading guilty to possessing over 400 grams of methamphetamine during a drug bust in December 2022.
Johnnie Oscar Carter III, 48, was arrested in Gore after an informant with the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force arranged to buy approximately a pound of methamphetamine from him for $2,400, according to Rome Circuit Assistant District Attorney Emily Johnson.
After his arrest at the Dollar General at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Gore-Subligna Road, Johnson said, Carter was cooperative with task force agents and told them that there was more meth in his house in Rome.
The Rome-Floyd Metro Task Force then went to Carter’s home on Butler Street where they found 446 grams of methamphetamine in a safe.
Floyd County Superior Court Chief Judge John “Jack” Niedrach accepted the negotiated sentence of 30 years, to serve seven in prison, and a fine of $200,000.
Carter is still awaiting the disposition of his drug case in Chattooga County, his attorney Steven Miller told the judge.
What does a pound of meth look like,” Niedrach asked during the proceedings.
“We were talking about this the other day,” Miller said, holding his cupped hand up to the judge like he was holding a small object. “About a pound of butter.”
“Was it powdered or crystal,” Niedrach asked.
“I think it was still in crystal form in both cases,” Miller said.
Carter will get credit for time served, about five months, and his attorney cited an undisclosed family issue as the reason for allowing his client to turn himself in on Friday by 10 a.m.
Mr. Carter knows that if he fails to report, as ordered, to the jail, he is subject to not only a probation violation but also subject to a new charge,” Miller told the judge.