Sixteen individuals with charges in Coffee County are ready to stand trial next week during the Superior Court of Coffee County’s last criminal trial week of the year. The majority of the defendants on the calendar are charged with drug offenses, while others face burglary, aggravated battery, and aggravated assault.
The only man charged with aggravated assault whose case is ready for trial was arrested in 2021 after a shooting incident at the Circle K on the north end of Douglas last year. Anthony Tyrone Hudson is up against a lengthy prison sentence if convicted after he allegedly opened fire at the convenience store following a dispute with two men at a gas pump. According to law enforcement, Hudson overheard two men making comments about his dog, which led to him pulling out a rifle and shooting at them and their vehicle. One of the bullets grazed one of the victims, and Hudson led officers on a chase until crashing his car in Broxton.
Hudson is charged with three counts of aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude an officer, simple battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Antonio McQueen is set to stand trial on charges of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. McQueen was taken into custody following a residential search executed by the Coffee County Drug Unit. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 35 years in prison.
A jury could hear the state’s case against Lakendrick Carter, who was charged with two counts of burglary from 2019. According to a copy of Carter’s indictment, he allegedly broke into a home on West Baker Highway and on South Manilla Street in 2019, “with the intent to commit a theft.” A burglary conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Other defendants on the calendar include Jonathan Pruitt – theft by taking; Jennifer Jackson – theft by shoplifting; Daniel Knighton – possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Jimmy Harper – burglary in the 1st degree; Michael Allen Harper Sr. – burglary in the 1st degree; Ferlonzo Newton – possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute; Adam Mitchell Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Margaret Davis – burglary in the 1st degree; Franciso Galarza – possession of methamphetamine and possession of marijuana more than an ounce; Michael Chapman – possession of methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Gilbert Harvey Jr. – trafficking methamphetamine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon; Christopher Black – aggravated battery and Cleo Williams Jr. – habitual violator and DUI.