Darrlin Vernard Warner, a resident of Hiram, Georgia, has been sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine while possessing multiple firearms and more than $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.”
Court documents show that in October and November 2024 Warner conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in Paulding and Douglas counties. On November 13, 2024 authorities searched Warner’s home and car where they found over 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 Warner forfeited the cash seized from his residence after pleading guilty on June 5th to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl/methamphetamine 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; support came from both Paulding County Sheriff’s Office as well as Douglas County Sheriff’s Office plus 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 nationwide initiative using resources from the Department of Justice including its Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) https://www.justice.gov/ocdetf—and Project Safe Neighborhoods https://www.justice.gov/psn—to target violent crime including cartel activity across U.S. communities.
Tips regarding suspected drug sales or trafficking can be reported anonymously via phone at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or through DEA Atlanta Division Office at (404) 893-7000 or online at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
Parents seeking information about fentanyl or other drugs may visit educational sites such as justthinktwice.gov, GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, operationprevention.com, CampusDrugPrevention.gov, or dea.gov/onepill for further resources.
For more information contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185.
