Man pleads no-contest to trespass, suspended fine for drug paraphernalia; judge orders ban from property

Jason Lynn Smiley pleaded no-contest to criminal trespass and to possession of a drug paraphernalia item; Judge Tammy Long Hayward accepted the plea, dismissed an obstruction charge and ordered that Smiley have no contact with the named victim and not return to the property.

Prosecutors told the court that on July 23, 2025, Clayton County officers were patrolling around Jester Lake Drive and observed Smiley at a property on Connell Drive belonging to a woman identified as Melissa Draper. The prosecutor said Smiley had been on the premises without permission and possessed a glass pipe "commonly used for introducing crack cocaine into the body." The obstruction count was dismissed by the state as part of plea negotiations. The state's recommended disposition was 12 months with 34 days to serve (credit for time served), balance suspended if Smiley does not return to 7622 Connell Drive, and a suspended $200 fine for the paraphernalia count.

Judge Hayward accepted the no-contest pleas and reiterated the court's conditions: "12 months on count 1 to serve 34 days, credit for time served, balance suspended upon do not return to the incident location" and no contact with Melissa Draper. The $200 fine for the paraphernalia charge was suspended and will run concurrent with the trespass sentence.

During the hearing Smiley said he and the homeowner did not know each other and that he and a friend had been sitting outside; the judge cautioned him to avoid other people’s property and noted the safety risks of trespassing and being on private property without permission. The court accepted the negotiated plea and ordered compliance with the no-contact and location ban.