An Atlanta man was convicted March 22 for possession of heroin with intent to distribute and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute from an undercover drug sting in December 2008 that was operated by sheriff’s narcotics agents.
Horatio Philmore, of Centennial Olympic Park Drive, was sentenced to life in prison by Fayette County Superior Court Judge Johnnie L. Caldwell Jr. The life sentence was mandated because Philmore was previously convicted on the exact same charges in Fulton County, the court noted.
Caldwell noted that Fulton County sentenced Philmore to five years in prison, but he would be treated differently here just because he committed the “Cardinal sin” of committing the crime in Fayette County.
“We do take it a little more seriously down here than they do down there,” Caldwell said before ordering bailiffs to handcuff Philmore and take him away.
A drug agent for the Fayette County Sheriff’s Tactical Narcotics Team testified that Philmore was arrested as part of an undercover purchase of what was to be $1,000 of cocaine and heroin. When Philmore was arrested, the agent spotted him drop a paper towel to the ground containing the drugs, the agent testified.
The agent testified that no further drugs or money were found on the Philmore’s person when he was searched immediately after the arrest.
