Stephen Joseph Graham, 33, was convicted after he was identified as a source of drugs at a suspected Forsyth County drug house in May of 2000. After police found Graham, he led them on a high speed chase through parts of Forsyth and Fulton counties. In his burning vehicle, authorities found about six pounds of methamphetamine and 11 pounds of marijuana.
Assistant United States Attorney Allen Moye prosecuted the case and said Graham's previous record was a big factor in the life sentence.
"Our evidence showed that this is actually his fourth drug conviction in the last 15 years, all involving distribution quantities of methamphetamine, amphetamine etc," Moye said.
The case was investigated by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office and Fulton County Police Department.
"We simply wanted to make it very clear that it is a very severe sentence, but that goes with the territory when you deal drugs in this quantity after so many prior convictions," Moye said.
United States District Judge Richard Story handed down the sentence.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/9/190024