A judge sentenced a Clayton, Georgia, man to 50 years in prison after jurors found him guilty of participating in a racketeering scheme. On June 16, a Rabun County jury found David Lee Frady, 47, guilty of racketeering, burglary and forgery.
In 2019, Frady was arrested along with 12 others following a months-long drug investigation by the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office and Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office. During the investigation, agents identified multiple suspects in an alleged crime organization where a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, prescription narcotics, firearms, and stolen property were seized.
Mountain Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Russell Smith sentenced Frady for his role in the crimes on Friday. Frady was ordered to serve 20 years in prison on the racketeering (RICO) charge, 20 years for burglary, 15 years for forgery with 10 to serve, and 5 years on probation. The sentences run consecutively.
Prior to sentencing, Judge Smith heard from prosecutors and the defense. The victims in the case also provided victim impact statements to the court.
Rabun County Chief Deputy Scott Cheek served as the lead investigator. Assistant district attorneys Raymond Mayer and Melissa Garcia prosecuted the case for the DA’s office.
