Strong family support shown for a Bibb County man facing a long prison sentence for serious drug charges may have been a factor in the mercy he received in Jones County Superior Court.
Nicholas Dillard, 40, was sentenced to 20 years for the lesser-included offense of possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute with the first two years served in confinement. The serve time is suspended upon entry and completion of an inpatient Georgia Department of Corrections Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Program and all aftercare.
The remainder of the sentence is to be served on probation.
Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson accepted the negotiated guilty plea March 6 and pronounced the sentence at the conclusion of a probation modification proceeding.
Dillard was represented by defense attorney Ashley Deadwyler-Heuman, and Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore prosecuted the case.
The defendant was facing a trafficking charge and a second charge of possession of cocaine, following his July 17, 2024, arrest.
Fiore told the court as the result of plea negotiations, the state agreed to the lesser-included offense of possession with intent to distribute for the meth charge and dismissed the second charge.
The recommended sentence was 20 years on probation with eight years to serve. The prosecutor said Dillard would receive credit for time in custody from the date of his arrest.
Deadwyler-Heuman told the court the defense stipulated to the facts of the case but wanted to argue sentencing.
Fiore styled the case for the court. She said Jones County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Barron Hall received information that Dilliard was coming to Jones County with a quantity of meth. She said the officer made contact with Dilliard on Highway 49, and two ounces of methamphetamine were found in his vehicle.
One ounce equals 28 grams, which is the amount of meth required for a trafficking charge.
The prosecutor said the state was willing to reduce the charge because the defendant did not have much of a criminal history.
Deadwyler-Heuman asked the court to consider RSAT for her client. She said she understood the sentence would not be typical for the charge. The attorney explained that Dillard served in the military and was a disabled vet. She said he is an addict and has not gotten treatment.
“I think treatment would be best. He was a productive member of society, and I want to restore him to that,” she said.
Deadwyler-Heuman read letters of support to the court from Dilliard’s two young children, who were also in the courtroom. The children asked for a second chance for their dad.
The defendant’s wife also spoke in support.
Dillard gave a statement to the court, starting with an apology. He said they were married for 10 years, and he started having trouble after the death of his father. The defendant said he was attempting to cope with his military injuries when he lost his father.
“I always try to help people. I made a mistake and went down the wrong path. I’m asking for another chance,” he said.
Dillard said he is a licensed lab technician. He went on to say he completed the 12-step program during his incarceration and has a plan moving forward to better himself.
Deadwyler-Heuman said her client and his family were terrified at the idea of him going into the prison system.
Burleson listened intently to all the statements presented.
“You’re not wrong about how bad the prison system is,” the judge said. “Anyone facing incarceration should be afraid.”
The judge also stated that she understood why the state was asking for confinement.
“Bringing drugs into the community is treated harshly. The state is not out of line,” she said.
Burleson said as a judge she needs to look at what to do for everyone. With that being said, she pronounced the sentence that included a $5,000 fine and being banned from Jones County for the length of the sentence.
The judge then spoke directly to the defendant.
“I’m comfortable with the sentence, but if you reoffend, I want you brought back in front of me,” she said. “Please don’t make me regret showing you mercy.”
