Three Repeat Offenders Sentenced for Meth Trafficking in Cherokee County

Over 1 kilogram of methamphetamine was seized during a traffic stop in 2025.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Three individuals, including two repeat offenders, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms for trafficking methamphetamine in Cherokee County, Georgia. The arrests stemmed from a March 2025 traffic stop where over 1 kilogram of meth was seized from the vehicle.

Why it matters

Methamphetamine trafficking continues to be a major issue in Georgia, with repeat offenders posing an ongoing threat to public safety. This case highlights the efforts of local law enforcement and prosecutors to combat the drug trade and hold offenders accountable, especially those with prior convictions.

The details

During a March 2025 traffic stop in Woodstock, Georgia, a police officer found over 175 grams of meth packed inside plastic grocery bags after a passenger, 36-year-old Ashley Nicole Hughes, tried to conceal and discard a drawstring bag. Officers also discovered another 993 grams of the drug hidden beneath towels in the rear passenger floorboard, totaling over 1 kilogram seized. Authorities conducted a forensic review of the phone belonging to one of the defendants, 37-year-old Devin Wright, which revealed text messages discussing traveling from North Georgia to Atlanta to obtain meth.

  • The traffic stop occurred during overnight hours in March 2025.
  • On Feb. 24, 2026, a jury found Wright guilty of trafficking methamphetamine.
  • On Nov. 15, 2025, Hughes was sentenced to 15 years in confinement and a $200,000 fine.
  • On Jan. 7, 2026, Lovejoy was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 25 years to be served in confinement, and a $1 million fine.

The players

Ashley Nicole Hughes

A 36-year-old passenger in the vehicle who tried to conceal and discard a drawstring bag containing 175 grams of meth.

Devin Wright

A 37-year-old defendant who was found guilty by a jury of trafficking methamphetamine and sentenced to 30 years in prison due to his status as a repeat offender.

Lovejoy

A repeat offender who was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 25 years to be served in confinement, and a $1 million fine for his role in the meth trafficking operation.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors in Georgia to combat the methamphetamine trade, especially among repeat offenders who pose a continued threat to public safety. The lengthy sentences handed down in this case send a strong message about the consequences of engaging in drug trafficking in the state.