Georgia Methamphetamine Trafficker Is Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Prison

ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Larry Edward Wood, 62, of Mount Airy, Georgia, was sentenced to 188 months in prison today for trafficking methamphetamine, announced Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina. Wood was also ordered to serve five years under court supervision after he is released from prison.

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Atlanta Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), which oversees the Charlotte District Office, Sheriff Doug Farmer of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Curtis Cochran of the Swain County Sheriff's Office, and Chief DevinHolland of the Franklin Police Department join U.S. Attorney King in making today's announcement.

According to filed court documents and court proceedings, law enforcement initiated an investigation into Wood, a Georgia resident, for suspected methamphetamine trafficking in and around Macon County. In May 2021, a confidential source working with law enforcement purchased methamphetamine from Wood. In July 2021, Wood traveled to Macon County and delivered five kilograms of methamphetamine that was seized by law enforcement.

On July 28, 2023, Wood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Wood remains in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending placement by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

In making today's announcement, U.S. Attorney King thanked the DEA, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, Swain County Sheriff's Office, and the Franklin Police Department for their investigation of the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher Hess of the U.S. Attorney's Office in Asheville prosecuted the case.