Atlanta solicitor arrested on drug charges in South Georgia

Officers pulled over Deidre Merriman, Atlanta's senior solicitor, in Dooly County Saturday, south of Atlanta. Channel 2's Dave Huddleston broke the story on Twitter.

An Atlanta city solicitor who normally prosecutes drug cases was arrested in South Georgia on Friday for alleged drug possession, authorities said.

She is now on administrative leave pending an internal investigation by the Atlanta Mayor’s office, Channel 2 Action News reported.

Deputies said they stopped Deidre Merriman in Vienna for driving her Buick 85 mph in a 70-mph zone, but they then smelled marijuana in the car, according to a Dooly County Sheriff’s Office incident report obtained by Channel 2.

Dooly County is about 130 miles south of downtown Atlanta, located between Macon and Albany.

When the deputies opened her glove box, they said they found a cigarette container with two joints inside it.

The report alleged Merriman told the deputies there was no marijuana in the car before two joints were found. She was charged with drug possession and speeding.

Merriman declined to comment to Channel 2 about the incident.

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