Man Sentenced to 30 Years After Fentanyl Trafficking Conviction in Catoosa County

RINGGOLD, Ga. – The Office of the District Attorney for the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit announced that a Catoosa County jury has convicted 25-year-old Kaleb Cooks of Chatsworth, Georgia, on all counts related to fentanyl trafficking, possession of drug-related objects, and driving under the influence (DUI). The verdict was reached on October 2, 2025, following a trial that highlighted the region’s ongoing fight against the fentanyl crisis.

The charges stemmed from a December 7, 2023, incident when Catoosa County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle with an occupant who might be in distress. Deputies found Cooks behind the wheel appearing impaired. During the encounter, an officer observed a large quantity of suspected fentanyl and cocaine in Cooks’ lap, which he attempted to hide. Deputies conducted field sobriety tests, confirmed signs of impairment, and placed Cooks under arrest for DUI. A search of the vehicle uncovered fentanyl, cocaine, and other drug-related items.

Cooks was sentenced to a total of 30 years, with five years to serve in the Georgia Department of Corrections. Prosecutors had requested a longer sentence, citing the devastating toll of fentanyl on Georgia communities.

“Fentanyl is a killer and those who traffic it will face the full weight of justice,” said District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller. “We asked the court for a far longer sentence because Georgia is losing too many lives—2,183 overdose deaths in the 12-month period ending July 2024. Under my leadership, this Circuit will be the toughest in Georgia on fentanyl trafficking. If you traffic poison here, we are coming after you, we will find you, and we won’t stop until you’re in prison.”

During the trial, which was presided over by Superior Court Judge Brian House, Assistant District Attorney Melissa Pittman presented evidence including 911 call recordings, deputy body-camera footage, forensic lab results confirming fentanyl amounts exceeding trafficking thresholds, and testimony describing Cooks’ impaired condition behind the wheel.

The conviction adds to a growing list of fentanyl-related prosecutions under Fuller’s leadership. Earlier this year, a Ringgold man pleaded guilty to trafficking fentanyl sourced from Chattanooga. Authorities continue to urge residents to report suspicious drug activity as Georgia battles the ongoing opioid epidemic.