After a four-day trial in federal court, Traon Turk was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the conviction: “Turk is a multi-convicted felon who peddled deadly drugs and illegally carried a loaded firearm. My office is proud to partner with federal and local law enforcement so we can aggressively prosecute violent drug dealers like Turk in order to keep the community safe.”
ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka also addressed the case: “This case is a reminder of the critical work we do to combat violent crime and drug trafficking. The ATF’s partnership with local police and federal prosecutors is vital in our mission to keep our neighborhoods safe. We will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that offenders like Turk face justice for their actions.”
According to information presented during the trial, Cobb County Police officers attempted to stop Turk on April 4, 2020, after identifying his vehicle as one allegedly involved in a drive-by shooting in Marietta days earlier. Turk fled from police at high speed, abandoned his moving vehicle—leaving five passengers inside—and ran away while dropping a loaded .40 caliber pistol, which officers recovered. About an hour later, police located him hiding in another abandoned vehicle.
Officers discovered 24 pills containing methamphetamine in Turk’s pocket and seized an iPhone that contained evidence of drug dealing activity. From the vehicle he had been driving, authorities recovered additional ecstasy pills containing methamphetamine, counterfeit Percocet and Xanax pills containing methamphetamine, individually packaged bags of marijuana, and other related items.
Prior convictions for Turk include violations related to street gang terrorism laws, possession of various controlled substances with intent to distribute, illegal firearm possession by a felon, and theft by receiving stolen property.
Turk is scheduled for sentencing before Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr. on February 24, 2026. The United States Sentencing Guidelines will be considered but are not mandatory for determining his sentence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Cobb County Police Department led the investigation into this case.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Hwang, Michael Herskowitz, Laurel Milam, and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters are prosecuting.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration-related crimes as well as dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
For more information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia or this case visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.
