Drug charges bring serious penalty
Gilmer man Shawnan Dale Townsend was sentenced March 18 for trafficking drugs.
He will be receiving 20 years in prison and ten years on probation, as well as $555,105 in fines.
Townsend was arrested in Ellijay June 9, 2025. Law enforcement found between 200 and 400 grams of meth in his possession.
is charges include trafficking methamphetamine or amphetamine, possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and sale of methamphetamine.
Townsend was found not guilty of possession of a firearm during commission of a felony.
The fines include court charges, crime victim assistance funds, jail fees, surcharges, funds, law library and crime lab fees.
He will have to have no contact with Tabithe Hyde, and not threaten or harm her.
In addition, he must avoid all alcohol use, illegal drug use, association with illegal drug users and undergo treatment for substance abuse at a government-approved provider.