Darrlin Vernard Warner, a resident of Hiram, Georgia, has been sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine. Warner was also found in possession of multiple firearms and over $175,000 in drug proceeds.
“Fentanyl and methamphetamine are wreaking havoc on north Georgia, leading to addiction, crime, and loss of life,” said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. “As a result of key collaboration of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, a significant drug trafficker is out of the community. His deadly drugs are off the street, his weapons have been seized, and his drug proceeds now belong to law enforcement.”
Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta stated: “Drug traffickers like Warner fuel addiction and violence by pushing fentanyl and meth into our communities while stockpiling weapons and cash. Thanks to the outstanding partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement, we have dismantled a dangerous operation and made northern Georgia safer.”
Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey commented: “This sentencing is a significant victory in protecting the citizens of Georgia from the dangers drug traffickers bring into our communities. Traffickers of deadly substances like fentanyl and methamphetamine leave behind addiction, violence, and devastation that tear families apart. The GBI, alongside our local, state, and federal partners, remains committed to ensuring these criminals face justice and that these dangerous drugs are removed from our communities.”
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg’s office: In October and November 2024 Warner conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine across Paulding and Douglas counties. On November 13th last year authorities searched Warner’s home and car where they found more than two pounds of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms as well as $177,119 in cash.
United States District Judge William M. Ray II sentenced Warner—also known as “Juice”—to fifteen years imprisonment followed by five years supervised release. As part of the sentence he forfeited the cash seized at his residence after pleading guilty on June 5th this year to conspiracy charges related to intent to distribute controlled substances as well as possession of firearms during a drug trafficking crime.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force; assistance came from both Paulding County Sheriff’s Office and Douglas County Sheriff’s Office as well as Paulding County Fire Department.
Assistant United States Attorneys Calvin A. Leipold III; Thomas M. Forsyth III; Jeffrey Brown prosecuted this case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative coordinated by the Department of Justice using resources from its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) program along with Project Safe Neighborhoods—to address violent crime linked with cartels or transnational criminal organizations.
Those who have information about suspected drug sales or trafficking can contact authorities through phone tip lines or submit online tips via https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
Parents or children seeking further education on substance abuse risks may consult resources such as www.justthinktwice.gov;www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com;www.operationprevention.com/;www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov; or www.dea.gov/onepill.
Further details are available from the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185.
http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga
