Arranged Drug Deal Ends in Assault Charges

A drug deal gone awry in BridgeMill has landed two Canton men behind bars.

Deputies with the Cherokee Sheriff's Office have arrested Canton residents Christopher Lewis and Jami Jordan, both 19, after one allegedly fired a semi-automatic gun near the other man's feet, said Spokesman Lt. Jay Baker. 

Lewis has been charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute while Jordan was charged with aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and criminal attempt to commit armed robbery.

Deputies with the sheriff's office on Monday afternoon met with Lewis, who told authorities he was allegedly assaulted near the neighborhood's tennis courts. Lewis, who was accompanied by a BridgeMill resident, told deputies he'd set up a meeting with an individual to sell him marijuana at the pavilion near the subdivision's tennis courts.

Lewis told deputies he'd heard the person he planned to meet for the deal had been robbing people during transactions, so he decided to bring with him fake marijuana leaves and a three-cell flashlight "to teach the individual a lesson," Baker added. 

Lewis said Jordan, who was not the person he was expecting, arrived and Lewis said he thought the man planned to rob him. Baker said Lewis gave Jordan the fake leaves and pulled out the three-cell flashlight. Lewis then told deputies Jordan pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and shot two rounds at Lewis' feet. 

Baker said Lewis "had shrapnel in the soles of his shoes and a very minor abrasion on his shin." Cherokee deputies later recovered two spent shell casings and discovered a Zip-loc bag with the leaves nearby in a trash can. 

Lewis, who was arrested on Monday, was eventually released on a $12,000 bond. Jordan, on the other hand, was arrested on Tuesday and remains at the Cherokee County Adult Detention Center with no bond. 

Cherokee County Sheriff Roger Garrison applauded the people coming forward to report the crime.

"This reported incident occurred at tennis courts 23-25 in broad daylight," he added. "We encourage anyone to call 911 if they ever see any suspicious activity or persons in their community."

Baker added the investigation is ongoing and more charges are likely to be filed in the case.

"Detectives are confident additional persons were involved in this incident," he said. 

Anyone with information is asked to call 911. 

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