Being caught with 100 pounds of marijuana resulted in a sentence of 10 years in prison for a Macon man who was tracked by Flock cameras while apparently picking up his illegal load.
Billie Michael Corley entered a guilty plea to the offense of trafficking in marijuana in Jones County Superior Court Jan. 29. He was sentenced to 15 years for trafficking charge with the first 10 years served in confinement.
The remainder may be served on probation. Corley received credit for time served in custody from the date of his arrest, July 25, 2024.
Corley was indicted for the charge by a Jones County Grand Jury Oct. 1, 2024.
According to an article about an Oct. 3, 2024, bond hearing, Corley, Brandon Mock and Clayton MacKenzia Quillian were all charged with trafficking in marijuana.
Corley was represented at the bond hearing by defense attorney Paula Kapiloff. The attorney told the court her client had been in custody since his July arrest and, at the time he was being tracked by Flock cameras, had no arrest warrant. She said it was Bibb County that wanted the cars stopped.
The attorney said there were two vehicles involved, and the Georgia State Patrol stopped the other one. Her argument was it was not a Jones County case, and her client had no ties to Jones County.
She also noted that nothing was found in Corley’s vehicle, and the only witnesses in the case were law enforcement.
Assistant District Attorney Cara Fiore was the prosecutor in the case. She explained Bibb County was investigating Coley for being a drug dealer. The prosecutor said the cars were being followed, and the Jones County Sheriff’s Office was asked to help.
Fiore said the deputies were watching two vehicles, and Corley owned them both. The pursuit went to Sparta and Augusta before returning to Jones County. She said 100 pounds of marijuana were found during the traffic stop.
Fiore said it was obvious to law enforcement that the two vehicles were traveling together. She added that Corley was believed to be the ringleader.
Superior Court Judge Alison Burleson presided over the bond hearing. She said she did not believe Corley was a flight risk but he could not overcome the risk to persons and the community pending his trial.
Bond was denied, and he remained in custody until his court appearance last week.
