In a recent court hearing, a man from Fort Oglethorpe and a woman from Rossville received their sentences after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges. The District Attorney of Cherokee County, Susan K. Treadaway, announced the verdict on Friday.
Christopher Lewis Partin, a 36-year-old resident of Fort Oglethorpe, admitted guilt on June 23rd, 2023, for trafficking methamphetamine. As a result, he has been sentenced to 30 years, with 18 years to be served in prison and the remaining time on probation. Due to being a repeat offender, Partin will serve the entire prison term without the possibility of parole.
Mandy Macall Maloney, a 38-year-old woman from Rossville, also pleaded guilty on June 26th, 2023, to trafficking methamphetamine. She has been handed a 30-year sentence, with the initial 25 years to be spent behind bars and the remainder on probation.
The charges against the couple originated from an investigation conducted by the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad, which began with a routine traffic stop.
On March 3rd, 2022, at approximately 12:05 p.m., a deputy from the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office noticed a silver Honda Civic with a cracked windshield failing to use a turn signal while merging into the right lane on I-75 towards Highway 92.
Upon questioning, Partin claimed to have recently purchased the car but was unable to provide any supporting documentation such as a title, bill of sale, or proof of insurance. Further inquiry revealed an active arrest warrant for Partin in Bartow County, relating to a violation of probation for possessing drugs with the intent to distribute. Consequently, Partin was detained and placed in handcuffs.
To assess the situation, a K-9 officer from the Sheriff’s Office conducted a free air sniff around the vehicle. The K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics, prompting Partin and Maloney to confess that they were in possession of a significant amount of marijuana and methamphetamine.
Once the deputies confirmed the presence of illicit substances, a thorough search of the vehicle was conducted on the side of I-75. During the search, law enforcement officials discovered a backpack in the trunk containing approximately 4 pounds of marijuana. Additionally, on the passenger side floorboard, another backpack was found, containing several bags of methamphetamine weighing nearly 1.5 kilograms.
Partin and Maloney were then taken into custody and transported to the Oak Grove precinct for further investigation. During their interviews with law enforcement, both individuals admitted to working with an incarcerated individual who had instructed them to retrieve the drugs.
The sentencing of Partin and Maloney serves as a stern warning to those involved in drug trafficking activities within Cherokee County. The authorities remain committed to combating the distribution of illegal substances and ensuring the safety and well-being of the local community.
