After a four-day jury trial, Traon Turk was found guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Turk had previously pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in the same case.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg stated, “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 commented, “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 at trial, on April 4, 2020, Cobb County Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed connected to an earlier drive-by shooting in Marietta. The driver, identified as Turk, fled from police at high speed before abandoning the moving vehicle and leaving five passengers inside. While fleeing on foot, he dropped a loaded .40 caliber pistol that law enforcement recovered soon after. About an hour later, police located Turk hiding in another abandoned vehicle.
During his arrest, officers found 24 pills containing methamphetamine in his pocket and seized an iPhone containing evidence of drug dealing activity. A search of the car revealed more ecstasy pills containing methamphetamine, counterfeit Percocet and Xanax pills also containing methamphetamine, and several individually packaged bags of marijuana.
Before this incident, Turk had multiple felony convictions including violations related to street gang terrorism prevention laws; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana; possession of firearms by a convicted felon; and theft by receiving stolen property.
Turk will be sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge Thomas W. Thrash Jr., on February 24, 2026. The court will consider United States Sentencing Guidelines when determining his sentence.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with Cobb County Police Department investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Hwang, Michael Herskowitz, Laurel Milam and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters are prosecuting it.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative focused on using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration issues as well as transnational criminal organizations involved in violent crime.
For more details about the case or office activities visit http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.