BAY MINETTE, Ala. — State Trooper Donald Byrd stopped Rufus William Thornton for an expired, temporary license tag Nov. 19, 2006, on eastbound Interstate 10 and noted the Albany, Ga., man was nervously swallowing.

When Thornton could not produce any identification, Byrd asked for consent to search the vehicle, according to Baldwin County Circuit Court records.

Byrd found a yellow bag containing 3.5 pounds of marijuana which was being transported from Texas to distributors in Georgia, according to court testimony.

Thornton was arrested and bail was set at $1 million. A jury convicted him Sept. 16 on a charge of trafficking marijuana.

Circuit Judge Robert Wilters sentenced Thornton Wednesday to 30 years in prison and about $30,000 in fines. Thornton also received credit for time served at Baldwin County Corrections Center.

Prior to sentencing, Thornton told Wilters he was not a trouble maker.

“I am asking for leniency, but not that I should not be punished,” Thornton said. “I am not the person known as a threat to society.”

Defense attorney Larry Moorer filed an oral notice of appeal. He previously filed a motion arguing unlawful search and seizure based on involuntary consent.

A separate motion filed earlier is based on an alleged breech in the chain of evidence custody.