Lee County Probationer Sentenced To 180 Months In Prison For Distributing Meth

ALBANY, Ga. – A Lee County, Georgia woman caught by agents with nearly 200 grams of pure methamphetamine while on probation was sentenced to serve 15 years in federal prison for her crime, said Charlie Peeler, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia.

Amanda Smith, 38, of Leesburg, Georgia was sentenced to serve 180 months in prison by U.S. District Judge Louis Sands on Monday, October 19, after previously pleading guilty to one count possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Co-defendant Daniel Calhoun, 39, of Leesburg, pleaded guilty to one count possession of a firearm by an unlawful user of a controlled substance and was sentenced to three years of probation by U.S. District Judge Leslie Gardner  March 11, 2020. There is no parole in the federal system.

“The consequence for repeat offenders pushing methamphetamine into our communities is federal prison without parole,” said U.S. Attorney Charlie Peeler. “I want to thank the combined efforts of federal and local law enforcement agents for shutting down a known meth dealer pushing poison into Lee County and surrounding communities.”

“As with all drug traffickers, this ‘repeat offender’ methamphetamine distributor was driven by greed and power,” said the Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy. “As a result of this sentence, she will spend well-deserved time in prison.”

“We work closely with state and federal law enforcement agencies to investigate and arrest dangerous people and put them behind bars so they can no longer be a menace to our community. I appreciate that we work well with these agencies. Together, we can accomplish more to protect the hardworking citizens of Lee County,” said Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals.

According to her signed plea agreement, Smith was under surveillance by agents based on information from a confidential informant regarding her activities. Smith was previously convicted of a felony offense in the Superior Court of Lee County and was on probation. Agents conducted a traffic stop in Lee County near New York Road in October 2017 to execute a probation search. The vehicle was driven by Calhoun. Inside, agents found approximately 60 grams of methamphetamine. Agents later discovered 137 grams of methamphetamine with a purity of 100% at Smith’s home. Agents also found three shotguns, a rifle, $3,000 in cash, plastic bags and a digital scale inside Smith’s residence.

The case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration  (DEA). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Leah McEwen. Questions can be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603 or Melissa Hodges, Public Affairs Director (Contractor), United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 765-2362.