Judge sentences former teacher for drug offenses

On Feb. 1, 2023, Superior Court Judge Richard Perryman sentenced Julie Anna Rogers, 42, formerly of Adel, to 30 years’ probation for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, reduced from trafficking in methamphetamine; possession of tools for the commission of a crime; and possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance.

The judge also ordered Ms. Rogers to: Pay a $5,000 fine; perform 300 hours of community service work; have no contact with certain individuals; and complete an assessment by Behavioral Health Services and comply with all recommended services. The judge also barred her from the Alapaha (including Cook County), Ware, and Tift Judicial Circuits, an order suspended upon strict compliance with other probation conditions.

Assistant District Attorney George Bessonette prosecuted the case. Attorney Jim T. Bennett represented the defendant.

According to information reported during a first appearance/bond hearing in Cook County Magistrate Court, Ms. Rogers has earned Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Specialist Degrees. She was a former teacher at Cook High School and a former English teacher in the Tift County School System.

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office brought the case. According to warrants and court records, on Feb. 2, 2021, at the Cook County Jail, Ms. Rogers was found to have brought into the State of Georgia 30.5 grams of meth (or about 1.08 ounces). She also had 17 doses of Xanax (Alprazolam) and 17 partial doses of Xanax, and tools including scales, plastic bags, and a glass pipe.

Codefendant Timothy Lerae Wolf Jr. of Adel or Hahira has been charged with crossing jail guard lines with a controlled substance (meth), possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of marijuana, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.  

Other cases resolved last week in Cook County Superior Court:

• In a case brought by the Sheriff’s Office, Heather Danielle Edmondson, 29, of Adel pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2023, to fleeing from or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer and driving while license suspended. Judge Richard Perryman sentenced her to three years’ felony confinement, with credit for time already served.

According to court records, on March 22, 2019, Ms. Edmondson attempted to escape arrest for driving with a suspended license. She fled in her vehicle at 102 mph in a 55-mph zone on County Farm Road.

Assistant D.A. Jennifer Rue Smith prosecuted the case. Public Defender Gabe Cason represented the accused.

• In a case brought by Adel Police and Sparks Police, Lori Denise Davis, 42, of Sparks pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2023, to financial transaction card fraud and criminal attempt to commit a felony. Judge Tomlinson sentenced her to three years’ felony confinement, with credit for time already served since Oct. 18, 2021. 

According to court records, Ms. Davis attempted to use a stolen Discover card to purchase $527.86 worth of merchandise from Walmart of Adel. Assistant D.A. Smith prosecuted the case; Public Defender Cason represented the accused. 

• In a case brought by the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, Jonathan Ray Kelley, 30, of Sparks pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2023, to possession of methamphetamine. Judge Perryman sentenced Kelley to two years in state prison, to run with concurrently with a Tift County case.

The offense occurred on March 14, 2019, at a Barneyville Road address. Assistant D.A. Jason Cain prosecuted the case; attorney Jason B. Moon represented the defendant.

Codefendant Amanda Lee Hall, 40, of Nashville pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana and possession of drug-related objects – 24 months’ total probation; $1,000 fine; 40 hours’ community service work. Possession of methamphetamine count was nolle prossed, or dropped.  

• In a case brought by Adel Police, Elizabeth L. Self, 54, of Norman Park pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2023, to possession of cocaine and possession of drug-related objects (straw). Judge Perryman sentenced her to 18 months’ felony confinement, with credit for time already served. 

The offense occurred June 2, 2021, at a Lakeview Drive address. Assistant D.A. Smith prosecuted the case; Chief Public Defender Janice Prince represented the accused.

• In a case brought by the Georgia State Patrol, Tifton Post, Christopher Todd Jackson, 35, of Alto or Lula, Ga., pleaded guilty on Feb. 1, 2023, to fleeing from or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer. Judge Perryman sentenced Jackson to one year felony confinement, with credit for time already served. (The State nolle prossed, or dropped, charges of DUI of drugs, speeding, and reckless driving.)

On Aug. 24, 2019, Jackson drove a Honda motorcycle at speeds up to 113 mph in an attempt to elude a pursuing officer on I-75. Assistant D.A. Jennifer Smith prosecuted the case; attorney Bridget Summers represented the defendant. 

EDITOR’S NOTE – The Adel News will report other court sentences in the next issue.