Cobb County Cocaine Trafficker Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison

Leandro Pineda Guilty of Trafficking, Possession with Intent

Atlanta-Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. (Atlanta Judicial Circuit) announces that, following his conviction, Leandro Pineda (32) has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. Pineda was found guilty by a Fulton County jury of trafficking in cocaine and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. On 13 June 2003, Pineda, along with three co-defendants, were to meet with undercover officers at 1715 Howell Mill Road in northwest Atlanta to deliver one kilogram of cocaine and 15 pounds of marijuana. (The price of the cocaine was to be $22,000 and the marijuana $650 per pound.) The three co-defendants were arrested on the scene, while Pineda was stopped a short time later on Interstate 75 in Fulton County with the cocaine in his truck. Following his arrest, a search warrant was executed at his Cobb County residence where additional cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana were found. “For the second time in as many days, we have seen a drug dealer going to prison for decades,” says Mr. Howard. “I hope this sends the message that, here in Fulton County, we have a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy for this kind of activity.”

The co-defendants have all previously pleaded guilty.

Senior Assistant District Attorney Leigh DuPre of the Office’s Major Drugs Unit prosecuted the case. Investigator W. Britt, an Atlanta Police officer assigned to the federal HIDTA task force, investigated, and Judge John Goger presided.

CONTACT: Erik Friedly, 404.224.0560 (office); 770.583.6069 (pager); erik.friedly@co.fulton.ga.us