HOUSTON COUNTY, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Lawrenceville man will spend 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, according to the Houston County District Attorney’s Office. 33-year-old Miguel Angel Cortez pleaded guilty Monday in Houston County Superior Court, just before jury selection was scheduled to begin. Cortez was sentenced to 30 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison. Cortez was also banished from Houston County and all neighboring counties for the remainder of his sentence, according to the district attorney’s office. The case stems from an October 13, 2022, traffic stop on Carl Vinson Parkway. Centerville police said officers stopped a vehicle driven by Cortez after observing traffic violations. During the stop, a police K-9 alerted officers to the vehicle. A subsequent search uncovered several ounces of methamphetamine, a small amount of cocaine and packaging materials, according to prosecutors. Cortez and passenger Heather Beckwith were arrested. Beckwith pleaded guilty separately in 2023 and was sentenced to 20 years, with six years to be served in prison. The Centerville Police Department investigated the case. Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith prosecuted Cortez. Senior Assistant District Attorney Mike Smith released the following statement: “The District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the dedication of the Centerville Police Department, for its efforts in working…
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