A Mableton man, Tiontae Jamon Copeland, 41, was sentenced to 35 years in prison for heroin trafficking.

According to an announcement from Cobb Acting District Attorney John Melvin, “The charges stem from the evening of May 1, 2018, when Cobb Police executed a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Copeland was a passenger. During the stop, near the intersection of Favor Road and White Oak Drive, a K-9 officer alerted on the vehicle, and officers recovered a plastic bag, which turned out to contain more than five grams of heroin. Dashcam video showed Copeland had tossed the bag from the car. A Kel-Tec 9mm pistol was found in the passenger door of the vehicle.”

The verdict in the case was reached last Thursday, and the sentence was handed down by Cobb Superior Court Judge C. LaTain Kell. Copeland had been represented in court by Marietta attorney Ronald Hood.

As a recidivist. Copeland will serve 10 years in prison and the rest of the time on probation. He is also banned from Cobb County.

“This is enough heroin to reach more than 50 people,” said Assistant District Attorney Nicola Rossi, who prosecuted the case. “This verdict sends the message that those who distribute dangerous drugs on the streets of Cobb County will be held accountable.”