KIN OF LAWYER GETS NO PRISON

An Augusta man caught with a load of cocaine after previous convictions for
possession of cocaine and aggravated assault received probation Wednesday.
Rodricgus F. Maxwell, 26, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court
to trafficking in cocaine. Because of the amount of cocaine involved - just
over half a pound - Mr. Maxwell faced a prison sentence of 15 to 30 years.

On Wednesday, Judge J. Carlisle Overstreet sentenced Mr. Maxwell to serve
20 years on probation.

Assistant District Attorney Shauna Reeves recommended a 10-year prison
sentence, arguing that Mr. Maxwell had done nothing to justify a lighter
sentence.

Mr. Maxwell, whose stepfather is local lawyer Luther McDaniel, has two
prison felony convictions for possession of cocaine and aggravated assault.
In July 1989, he was sentenced to serve six years in prison for those crimes.

Mr. Maxwell was arrested May 12, 2000, with 250 grams of cocaine that
tested 81 percent pure, Ms. Reeves said.

Defense attorney Jacque Hawk said Wednesday that Mr. Maxwell's stepfather
did not have anything to do with the probation. Mr. Maxwell, his attorney
said, qualified under a specific state law to be considered for a sentence
of less than the minimum 10-year prison sentence normally imposed.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or shodson@augustachronicle.com.