A Catoosa County jury convicted Ladarius Nollie, a 35-year-old resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, of trafficking fentanyl following a one-day trial held before Chief Superior Court Judge Brian House. Nollie was immediately sentenced to five years in prison, followed by 25 years of probation.

The conviction stems from an investigation that began on January 8, 2025, when Catoosa County Detectives Zach Roden and Chris Lyons responded to an anonymous tip. The tip indicated that Nollie, who had active warrants in both Walker and Hamilton Counties, was located at the Econo Lodge motel in Fort Oglethorpe.

Upon arrival, detectives located Nollie inside a motel room with two women—a mother and her adult daughter. While entering the room to arrest Nollie on his outstanding warrants, detectives observed methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in plain view. A subsequent search of the room uncovered a large bag of powdered fentanyl, weighing just under 10 grams, hidden under the mattress.

Evidence presented during the trial established that Nollie had rented the motel room and was responsible for bringing the illicit drugs into the county. Testimony further revealed that Nollie had provided the narcotics to the mother and daughter in exchange for sexual acts. Compelling video evidence played for the jury captured Nollie asking one of the women if she believed detectives would search under the bed, before remarking, “they ain’t going to find it.”

The case was thoroughly investigated by Detectives Roden and Lyons of the Catoosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant District Attorney David Wolfe prosecuted the trial, with support from Victim Witness Advocate Ashley Nicholson and District Attorney’s Investigator Christy Smith.

Following the guilty verdict on September 29th, Judge House proceeded directly to sentencing.

District Attorney Clayton M. Fuller praised the collaborative efforts of law enforcement and his trial team in securing the conviction. “This verdict was delivered because of the strength and dedication of our law enforcement and our trial team,” Fuller stated. “I want to thank Assistant District Attorney David Wolfe and his team for standing strong in the courtroom, and Sheriff Gary Sisk and his team for their tireless work to keep Catoosa County safe from fentanyl. This defendant not only trafficked poison into our community, he preyed on vulnerable women.”

Fuller added a stern warning to those considering similar actions. “We asked for a stiffer sentence, but that’s okay—because if you think crossing the state line to traffic fentanyl here is a free pass, think again. Stay in Tennessee. Tennessee Trash who brings their poison to Catoosa County will get an all-expenses-paid trip to one of Georgia’s finest institutional resorts — behind bars. That’s my promise to the people of this circuit and the Chattanooga region.”