Chattooga County Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Meth Trafficking After Sting Operation

A Chattooga County jury found Larry Dale Dooley guilty on August 20 of one count of trafficking in methamphetamine with intent to distribute. The defendant, a five-time convicted felon, was arrested during a sting operation conducted by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.

The operation, led by Deputy Commander Brian Tucker, began when agents recruited two low-level drug users as informants. Under the direction of task force agents, the informants contacted Dooley, who agreed to sell them an ounce of methamphetamine.

After a thorough search of both the informants and their vehicle, task force agents followed the informants to the defendant’s home. Dooley entered the back seat of the vehicle holding a stainless-steel tumbler. Once the vehicle pulled onto State Route 48, Deputy Commander Tucker activated his emergency lights. In response, Dooley threw a set of digital scales onto the highway. The informants brought the vehicle to a stop on Ridgecrest Drive, where task force agents surrounded the vehicle with guns drawn.

Agent Chris Wooten opened the rear passenger door and saw Dooley attempting to hide the tumbler. After subduing the defendant, who resisted arrest, agents searched the vehicle and found over 75 grams of methamphetamine hidden in the tumbler.

Following the trial, Chief Judge Kristina Cook Graham sentenced Dooley to 30 years in prison without the possibility of parole.

Officials from the District Attorney’s office said, “This prosecution epitomizes the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney’s commitment to combating the opioid epidemic by getting drug dealers and traffickers off of our streets.” The statement also thanked those who testified during the trial, including Brian Tucker, Gary Campbell, Caine Railey, Chris Wooten, Mitzi Lands, and Andrew DeJarnete, along with support staff members Amy Reed, Jordan Floyd, Cara Parris, Annabelle Carter, and Eric Sliz.