posted March 29, 2007
A man authorities say was the cooker for a large meth operation on Bonny Oaks Drive was sentenced to nine years in prison by Federal Judge Curtis Collier on Thursday.
Franklin Woods had a sentencing range of 108-135.
Attorney Charles Dupree urged a lesser sentence, saying three others arrested at the same time, including his brother, Billy Woods, got lesser sentences.
Judge Collier said that had been based on reliance on a defense attorney's formula that minimized the amount of the drugs. He said that later proved to be faulty.
County detectives said they got word in March of 2005 from Georgia authorities that a person driving a vehicle from Hamilton County had bought over 20 bottles of iodine from a George feed store.
The vehicle's tag was used to locate a house at 7207 Lee Highway, where a large meth lab was located. Authorities said they could smell the meth cooking, and they learned the cooking had been going on for three days solid.
Detectives told of staking out the house, then arresting four men as they left the residence.
They said an attempt was made to stop Franklin Woods as he was getting on southbound I-75 at the Bonny Oaks Drive exit, but he rammed a detective's car and tried to drive off.
Two firearms were found in the house, which belonged to the mother of one of the men.
Authorities said when one of the men was stopped, he was found to be sitting on a loaded handgun.
Woods, who underwent a mental evaluation, said he has a long history of drug abuse.
| Dining Out | Business | Movies | Focus | About Us |
| Church | Living Well | Memories | Outdoors | Real Estate | Student Scene | Travel |