Man Convicted of Smuggling Drugs into Georgia Prison

A man local to Jackson County was sentenced this past week to some serious time in federal prison. He was convicted of sneaking large amounts of drugs and different types contraband into various state prisons in Georgia.

The man pleaded guilty of possession with intent to distribute. However, as a Georgia DUI Lawyer, I focus on the laws here in Georgia. Our code of laws also covers this type of criminal act. By our laws, it is referred to as crossing the guard line.

Crossing the guard line is a much more simple crime than the acts of the man in the story above. In today's post, I will outline the law behind the offense as it is codified in Georgia.

Crossing the Guard Line in Georgia

Crossing the Guard Line in Georgia is defined by the Georgia Code as:

It shall be unlawful for any person to come inside the guard lines established at any state or county correctional institution with a gun, pistol, or any other weapon or with or under the influence of any intoxicating liquor, amphetamines, biphetamines, or any other hallucinogenic or other drugs, without the knowledge or consent of the warden, superintendent, or his designated representative. O.C.G.A. §42-5-15.

Cook pleaded guilty to smuggling large quantities of both marijuana and meth into Hays State Prison.

The penalty for a conviction of crossing the guard line in Georgia is one to four years in prison. The offense is considered a felony.

Practice Note

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