Houston County District Attorney

BRYAN WAYNE PRINCE, 35, of 715 Burnette Road, Byron, GA, pleaded guilty in Houston Superior Court this afternoon to one count of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute. Senior Assistant District Attorney George Hartwig and Prince’s defense attorney, Laura Hogue, gave their respective recommendations for sentence to Judge Katherine Lumsden. Judge Lumsden sentenced Prince to twenty-five (25) years, to serve eight (8) in prison.

Upon release from prison, the first year will be intensive probation with a curfew. He must also complete a 30-day in-patient drug rehab program and continue with out-patient rehab for 18 months. He will be subject to random drug testing and warrantless searches while on probation.

Prince, who was already on probation for Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute, also had eight years of his probation revoked to prison concurrent with today’s sentence. Prince was convicted on August 13, 2004, of Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm During a Crime. He was sentenced to twenty years in 2004 and required to serve almost 3 of those years in jail. He was released from jail approximately 9 months before his new arrest.

In this case, Prince was stopped for speeding on February 6, 2008, in Warner Robins by Houston Sheriff’s Deputy Wayne Mitchell. After asking for Prince’s license, Deputy Mitchell observed a plastic bag with suspected narcotics near the console. The bag was seized and determined to contain over 11 grams of methamphetamine. Deputies also found a digital scale inside the car. Digital scales are often used by drug dealers to weigh illegal drugs for sales.

COMMENTS BY SENIOR ASSISTANT DA GEORGE HARTWIG: "Bryan Prince had every opportunity to go straight and become a productive member of society," said Sr. ADA Hartwig. "Instead, he chose to once again deal methamphetamine," Hartwig said. "This guy was already under a sentence for possession of meth with intent and had about 16 years left on probation," said Hartwig. "To be out of jail for 9 months and start back dealing meth, that’s pretty stupid," added Hartwig. "His punishment was fairly severe the first time, and it needs to get more severe every time they get caught, Hartwig said.

For more information, contact Senior Assistant District Attorney George Hartwig at 478-218-4810.