Tuesday, August 6, 2024–11:10 a.m.
-Adam Carey, 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 former Cave Spring police officer was sentenced to serve three years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to violation of oath of office and use of a communications device as part of an attempt to purchase drugs in 2022.
Marvin James Armstrong, 37, was originally arrested in November 2022 after he purchased drugs while in uniform and driving a police cruiser, prosecutors said during the hearing Monday.
He, along with three others, was originally charged with conspiracy to purchase drugs. However, that charge was dropped as part of the plea deal on Monday. Armstrong was also sentenced to an additional 13 years on probation.
An arrest warrant states that Armstrong contacted Terry Lee Wheeler on Nov. 17, 2022, to procure Percocet tablets and the two “were participating in multiple drug transactions in Rome, Ga. and surrounding areas,” according to information released by the GBI.
Wheeler was also sentenced Monday on a charge of illegal use of a communications device charge to 10 years, with two years to serve in prison.
Armstrong’s mother told Floyd County Superior Court Judge Bryan Johnson that her son was a good person in a bad situation and struggled with a pill addiction following surgery on his shoulder for an old football injury as well as back surgery.
“My son had to pull someone from a lake who had drowned and died right in his arms,” Michelle Armstrong said. “And he once responded to a house fire where four children and a man in a wheelchair were killed.”
Judge Johnson confirmed with Floyd County Assistant District Attorney Emily Harsen that Armstrong’s involvement with the conspiracy charges was restricted to a few drug purchases and was not more extensive.
“This is not a deleted scene from ‘The Departed’ or ‘Breaking Bad’,” Judge Johnson said. “It’s a run-of-the-mill drug purchase. He just happens to be a police officer.”
Unfortunately, the judge said, Armstrong’s violation of his oath of office was the more egregious part of the case.
Law enforcement is a calling that holds people to a higher standard, Johnson stated.
“If he weren’t a police officer this would be a regular drug crime,” Judge Johnson said. “But if we didn’t sentence people who violated their oath of office, the whole system would break down.”