Man Convicted On Drug Charge Gets 30 Years In Cherokee Court

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — A Ball Ground man accused of methamphetamine possession is convicted by a Cherokee County jury, Cherokee County District Attorney Shannon Wallace said Wednesday.

Bert Edward Otto, 46, was found guilty of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute on Oct. 19 after a two-day trial, according to the district attorney's office.

Chief Superior Court Judge Ellen McElyea sentenced Otto on Nov. 3 to 30 years with the first seven years to be served in prison and the remainder to be served on probation, according to the district attorney's office.

Otto was arrested by the Holly Springs Police Department on Nov. 19, 2021, when authorities found 22.9 grams of meth inside of his Nissan Rogue on Sixes Road, according to the district attorney's office.

A digital scale, drug paraphenalia and about 50 baggies were also found in the car, according to the district attorney's office.

“Through this verdict and sentence, it is our hope that our message will be loud and clear – Cherokee County prosecutes and holds drug dealers accountable," Wallace said in a news release.