Jeffrey Lockett-Captured in 2006 High Speed Chase-Also
Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison
Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction
of 43-year-old Jeffrey Lockett of Mableton on one count of trafficking
cocaine in excess of 400 grams. At yesterday's conclusion of a trial
which began Tuesday, February 12th, the Superior Court jury found the
defendant guilty. Judge T. Jackson Bedford, Jr. immediately sentenced
Lockett to 30 years in prison to serve 25 years and imposed a one-million-dollar
fine.
The defendant was arrested during a sting operation jointly conducted
by the Atlanta Police Department's Red Dog Unit Team 4 and HIDTA (High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area) agents on February 17, 2006. Lockett
and co-defendant Clarence Spencer were delivering a kilogram of cocaine
to a confidential informant when their 2000 silver Acura was pulled
over for a non-working right brake light. When ordered to exit the car,
Spencer sped off, leading police on a chase that ended off Interstate
20 at Fulton Industrial Boulevard. Police saw Lockett toss a package
from the passenger window which was later determined to be 736 grams
of cocaine. Lockett was arrested after a brief foot pursuit; Spencer
was a fugitive until he surrendered to authorities in August 2006. Last
week before the start of Lockett's trial, Spencer pleaded guilty to
one count of trafficking in cocaine, fleeing and attempting to elude
and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He testified for the
State against Lockett during the trial. Spencer will be sentenced Monday,
February 25th at 9:30 a.m. in Courtroom 4-F of the Justice Center Tower.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Shepard
Orlow and Chief Senior Assistant District Attorney Leigh DuPré,
head of the Major Drug Unit.
CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office);
770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us
