Darrlin Vernard Warner has been sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine, while possessing firearms and over $175,000 in drug proceeds. Warner, also known as “Juice,” is from Hiram, Georgia.
“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, commented: “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 stated: “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 court records presented by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg’s office: In October and November 2024 Warner conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in Paulding and Douglas counties. On November 13th last year authorities searched Warner’s home and car; they seized more than two pounds of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $177,119 in cash.
United States District Judge William M. Ray II handed down the sentence earlier today. In addition to prison time Warner will serve five years under supervised release after completion of his sentence; he also forfeited the cash found at his residence following his guilty plea on June 5th this year.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation along with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force. The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Douglas County Sheriff’s Office,and Paulding County Fire Department provided assistance.
Assistant United States Attorneys Calvin A. Leipold III; Thomas M. Forsyth III;and Jeffrey Brown prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national effort led by the Department of Justice targeting illegal immigration networks,cross-border criminal organizations,and violent crime through resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF)and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
For information about reporting suspected drug activity,tips can be submitted via https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip or by contacting GBI at 1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or DEA’s Atlanta Division Office at (404) 893-7000.
Educational resources about fentanyl risks are available at www.justthinktwice.gov , www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com , www.operationprevention.com/ , www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov ,and www.dea.gov/onepill .
For additional details,the U.S.Attorney’s Public Affairs Office may be reached at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185.More information can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .