safety
Metro Atlanta man sentenced to prison after swallowing fentanyl, hiding gun and meth
By WSB-TV (ABC) - News
· June 27, 2026
· 3 min read
A Cherokee County man who told police he swallowed fentanyl the moment he spotted a patrol car has been sentenced to years in prison.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Jeremiah Joshua Cornette, 35, of Ball Ground, was sentenced June 22 by a judge, who found him guilty of po...
Key takeaway The case began May 15, 2025, when a Ball Ground police officer spotted Cornette sitting on a guardrail along State Route 372 near Interstate 575.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The sentencing of Jeremiah Joshua Cornette highlights the ongoing struggle with drug-related crimes in metro Atlanta . The fact that Cornette was able to possess methamphetamine and a firearm, despite being a convicted felon, raises concerns about the effectiveness of current laws and enforcement strategies in preventing repeat offenders from accessing illicit substances and weapons. The incident also underscores the risks faced by law enforcement officers in the region, who must navigate complex and potentially deadly situations to keep the community safe. In this case, the quick thinking and training of the Ball Ground police officers likely saved Cornette's life, while also preventing further harm to the public. As the community continues to grapple with the consequences of drug addiction and related crimes, it is crucial to examine the root causes of these issues and explore innovative solutions to address them.
About this story
Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 27, 2026 ·
Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Cherokee County man who told police he swallowed fentanyl the moment he spotted a patrol car has been sentenced to years in prison.[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]Jeremiah Joshua Cornette, 35, of Ball Ground, was sentenced June 22 by a judge, who found him guilty of po...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 27, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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