Perry man sentenced to 10 years in prison in cocaine distribution case
Evans was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison.
PERRY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Perry man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to distribute and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office.
45-year-old Roderick Devail Evans entered the guilty plea Monday in Houston County Superior Court, moments before jury selection was scheduled to begin for his trial.
Evans was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison.
The case stemmed from a Perry Police Department investigation into suspected cocaine sales by Evans. According to the district attorney’s office, Perry police narcotics Investigator Aaron Conner used a confidential source to conduct two controlled drug purchases from Evans at his home in September and October 2024.
Police obtained a search warrant for the home based on those purchases and executed it Oct. 25, 2024.
Investigators found 17.995 grams of cocaine, along with digital scales, packaging materials, cash and other items authorities said were consistent with drug distribution.
Officers also found a stolen shotgun. According to the district attorney’s office, Evans was prohibited from possessing a firearm because of a previous felony conviction. Evans had multiple prior cocaine charges.
The district attorney’s office said Evans admitted at the scene that officers would find cocaine and a firearm inside his home.
Conner was the primary investigator in the case. Assistant District Attorney Lina Leh prosecuted the case for the Houston Circuit District Attorney’s Office.
Assistant District Attorney Lina Leh released the following statement:
“The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank Inv. Aaron Conner and the Perry Police Department for their dedicated work on this case. The Houston County District Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding drug dealers fully accountable.”
Houston County District Attorney Eric Edwards released the following statement:
“This case is an excellent example of the patient, methodical police work required to identify a drug dealer, document his criminal activity, and build a case that will hold up in court. Investigator Aaron Conner and the Perry Police Department did exactly that—conducting multiple controlled purchases before executing a search warrant that confirmed Mr. Evans was operating a cocaine distribution operation from his home. What officers found also illustrates why drug trafficking and violent crime so often go hand in hand: a repeat convicted felon dealing cocaine while illegally possessing a stolen firearm. I am grateful to Investigator Conner and the Perry Police Department for their outstanding work, and to Assistant District Attorney Lina Leh for being prepared to take this case to a jury and ensuring that Mr. Evans will now spend the next decade in prison.
