A Macon barber charged with trafficking will remain in the Jones County jail for now after his bond was denied the second time in Jones County Superior Court.
Billie Michael Corley was in court Dec. 12 asking for bond, represented by defense attorney Paula Kapiloff. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore.
After listening to the arguments of the attorneys, Superior Court Judge Terry Massey denied the defendant’s bond.
Corley, 39, was arrested July 25 with codefendants Brandon M. Mock, 30, and Clayton Mackenzie Quillian, 29. Corley and Quillian listed Macon addresses, and Mock’s address was listed as Lizella. When arrested, all three were charged with trafficking in cocaine, illegal drugs, marijuana or methamphetamine.
The trio was indicted by a Jones County Grand Jury Oct. 1 for the charge of trafficking in marijuana.
Corley’s first attempt at bond was Oct. 3, represented by Kapiloff. The attorney said the case originated in Bibb County, and Jones County got involved when asked for assistance.
Kapiloff repeated the facts of the case Dec. 12, which had not changed. She said Corley was charged with trafficking marijuana and admitted it was a substantial amount.
The attorney told the court that the only witnesses in the case were law enforcement, which meant there was no fear of intimating witnesses.
Kapiloff also brought the court’s attention to the number of self-improvement courses her client had completed since his July 25 incarceration.
The attorney said Corley owns a barber shop in Macon that has six employees.
“It’s hard to keep it running in his absence,” she stated. “He needs to return to supervise his business.”
Kapiloff also noted for the court that her client’s codefendants had both received bond. According to information from the JCSO, Quillian was released Aug. 23 on a $30,000 bond and Mock Sept. 6 on a $100,000 bond.
Fiore countered that Bibb County officers were investigating Corley for selling marijuana out of the barber shop and had his home under surveillance.
“When two vehicles left at the same time, they followed them. When they entered Jones County, the sheriff’s office was asked for help,” she said.
The prosecutor said the vehicles were followed to Sparta, and from there they were tracked by flock cameras. She said the cars traveled to Augusta, North Carolina, and then came back through Jones County.
“When the vehicles were stopped, they contained three duffle bags filled with marijuana, gummies and THC pens. The total weight of the marijuana was 100 pounds,” Fiore said. “They went to Augusta to buy it and brought it back.”
The ADA said Corley owned both cars.
“It was obvious the two vehicles were traveling together,” she said.
The prosecutor went on to talk about Corley’s criminal history. She said he had no significant history in Georgia, but Florida was a different story. Fiore said he had two felony convictions for drug sales and three arrests for possession of cocaine. He also had a federal charge for distribution of MDMA.
“Based on the evidence and his 20-year criminal history in Florida, the state believes he is an obvious risk to flee and a risk to commit new offenses,” she said.
Fiore added he was being investigated in Bibb County for selling marijuana out of his barber shop.
After denying bond, Massey gave the reason for the denial as the defendant being a significant threat or danger to another person or community and the defendant poses a significant risk of committing a new felony pending trial.
