Last week’s trial of a Gray man was wrapped up in a day and resulted in a sentence that includes two years in prison.
Michael Latoralan Hutchings, 60, was in Jones County Superior Court Sept. 23 facing charges of possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana less than an ounce and open container.
A jury found Hutchings guilty of possession of cocaine and open container but not guilty on the marijuana charge.
Hutchings was represented by public defender Tom O’Donnell, and the case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Eesha Kumar. Superior Court Judge Amanda Petty presided over the case.
Petty sentenced the defendant to three years with two years to serve in confinement for possession of cocaine and a $200 fine for the open container charge. The remainder of the sentence is to be served on probation. Hutchings was given credit for time served.
The offense date of the charges against Hutchings was Feb. 19, 2025.
A report of his arrest by Gray Police Capt. Jacob Hunnicutt states the officer was patrolling the area of West Clinton Street and Bill Conn Parkway Feb. 19 and checked a pickup truck for valid insurance and registration.
The search showed the owner of the truck had a suspended license, and the captain initiated a traffic stop. Hunnicutt said he recognized Hutchings when he approached the truck. As he got closer, he said he smelled the odor of green marijuana.
Hunnicutt asked the driver for his license and advised him the GCIC search showed his license was suspended. Hutchings was arrested when he got out of the truck, and due to the strong odor of marijuana, the captain searched the vehicle.
Hunnicutt said he found a small brown bag next to the driver’s seat, which contained a cigarette pack with the top missing.
“Inside the pack, I saw a piece of suspected crack cocaine. I also saw a pack of rolling papers,” he said.
The captain said he found several clumps of suspected marijuana at the bottom of the pack. He also found a small open bottle of Fireball whiskey.
Hunnicutt said he collected all the evidence and sealed it in an evidence bag. GPD Officer Josh Josey arrived on scene to transport Hutchings to the Jones County Law Enforcement Center.
Hunnicutt said the truck was turned over to the next list wrecker service, and he contacted the magistrate judge to obtain warrants.
