Published Friday, May 30, 2008
Defendant acquitted in drug trafficking case
The Times-Herald
One of four defendants in a drug trafficking case from 2007 was acquitted of drug charges in Coweta County Superior Court Thursday. Despite the drug acquittal, 28-year-old Jarvis Newson was found guilty of obstruction for fleeing from officers on May 17, 2007, during a raid by police at a house on Tuxedo Avenue in Newnan.
Newson, who was represented by Defense Attorney Stacy Flynn, was charged with trafficking methamphetamine, possession of ecstasy with intent to distribute, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and obstruction. After Newson was found guilty Thursday of obstruction, Judge Jack Kirby sentenced him to 12 months to serve in prison.
Senior Assistant District Attorney Ray Mayer admits Newson was the least culpable of the four people arrested in connection with the case. Mayer was not surprised with the verdict given that the district attorney's office only had evidence to prove Newson ran from the Tuxedo Avenue home during the police raid.
On May 17, 2007, law enforcement officers executed a search warrant at 21 Tuxedo Ave. Police arrested Clinton Philpot, Steven Lamont Carter and Andion Tolbert inside the residence. Newson was caught running from the house, according to Mayer. All four defendants faced the same drug charges in the case.
After Carter and Tolbert made bond, they failed to appear for their subsequent court dates. A bench warrant was issued by the court.
In the meantime, the district attorney's office decided to proceed with Newson and Philpot's trial.
Philpot, who was originally a codefendant in the trial this week, pleaded guilty to cocaine during the trial, according to Mayer. Philpot, who was represented by Steven Fanning, received a sentence of 10 years to serve five in prison -- with the stipulation that he arrange to have Carter surrender himself to the authorities.
Tolbert, the "most culpable" of the defendants, is "still on the run," according to Mayer.
If anyone has information regarding his whereabouts, they are urged to contact the Newnan Police Department at 770-254-2355.