Cherokee County Man Sentenced to Maximum Term Following Jury Conviction

Cherokee County-A Cherokee County man has been sentenced to the maximum term allowed by law following his conviction on multiple drug-related charges.

According to District Attorney Summer Summerford, Circuit Judge Andrew Hairston sentenced Johnathan Butler to 104 months in prison for unlawful possession of a controlled substance. Butler also received 12 months for unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia and an additional 12 months for possession of marijuana in the second degree. The sentences are to run consecutively.

Butler was convicted by a Cherokee County jury in November. Following the announcement of the verdict, authorities say Butler left the courthouse without being excused by the judge and remained at large for several weeks.

Law enforcement officials located and arrested Butler on January 15, 2026. At the time of his capture, Butler was charged with additional offenses, including unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana in the second degree, and being a certain person forbidden to possess a firearm.

Those additional charges remain pending.