TRENTON, GA— A Trenton man has been convicted of trafficking and possessing methamphetamine following a jury trial in Dade County Superior Court.
Conuard Thomas “Tommy” Higdon, 70, was found guilty on April 21, 2025, after a trial presided over by Judge Chris Arnt. The charges stemmed from a drug investigation conducted by the Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.
According to trial testimony, agents were conducting an operation at a residence on Spring Lake Drive when Higdon approached the scene in his pickup truck. Upon making eye contact with Agent Ryan Matthews, Higdon appeared startled and was observed attempting to conceal a black magnetic box near his vehicle’s center console. A subsequent consent search uncovered approximately 40 grams of methamphetamine hidden inside the box.
The investigation was led by Task Force Commander Casey York. The prosecution was handled by Senior Assistant District Attorney Kevin Baugh, with support from Administrative Assistant Tamara Clayton, Victim-Witness Services Director Amy Reed, and Chief Investigator Christy Smith.
Judge Arnt sentenced Higdon on April 23 to 12 years in prison, followed by 18 years of probation and a $200,000 fine.
District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller emphasized his office’s commitment to combating methamphetamine trafficking across the circuit.
“I grew up watching methamphetamine hollow out the heart of Appalachian towns,” Fuller said. “It has robbed families and wrecked futures. I’m sick of it. And alongside leaders like Commander York, I will fight this scourge with everything the law allows. We will not waver and we will not falter in our resolve to put drug dealers exactly where they belong — behind bars.”
