PROSECUTOR TO RETURN TO WORK AFTER DRUG CHARGES DROPPED

An assistant district attorney from North Georgia will return to work now
that Coweta County prosecutors have dropped felony drug charges.

Robert D. Cullifer, 48, of Clayton and his wife, Carol Lucas Cullifer, 50,
were arrested Dec. 23 when Grantville police officers found about an ounce
of marijuana in their sport utility vehicle.

In Coweta County Superior Court on Wednesday, Carol Cullifer claimed
ownership of the pot, said Assistant District Attorney Ray Mayer. Charges
were dropped against her husband.

"It's pretty standard to do that," Mayer said. "Whenever officers do a car
case, everyone is arrested. If someone claims responsibility for the drugs,
we let the others go."

Carol Cullifer pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession of marijuana.
She was sentenced to 12 months on probation and ordered to pay more than
$750 in fines and fees.

Robert Cullifer resigned from his position in the Mountain Judicial Circuit
district attorney's office the day after his arrest.

Mountain Circuit District Attorney Mike Crawford said Thursday he expects
Cullifer to return to work by the end of the month --- under certain
conditions.

Crawford said Cullifer has agreed to random drug tests and will get
substance abuse counseling.

"He won't be handling drug cases for a while," Crawford said. "And I will
be keeping a closer watch on him."