Darrlin Vernard Warner 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. The sentencing took place in Rome, 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.”
“Drug traffickers like Warner fuel addiction and violence by pushing fentanyl and meth into our communities while stockpiling weapons and cash,” said Paul Brown, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta. “Thanks to the outstanding partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement, we have dismantled a dangerous operation and made northern Georgia safer.”
“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,” said Georgia Bureau of Investigation Director Chris Hosey. “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 information provided by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg’s office, Warner conspired with others in October and November 2024 to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine across Paulding and Douglas counties. Law enforcement agencies searched Warner’s home and car on November 13, 2024; they found over two pounds of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $177,119 in cash.
United States District Judge William M. Ray II sentenced Warner—also known as “Juice”—to fifteen years in prison followed by five years of supervised release. As part of the sentence handed down earlier today, Warner forfeited the cash seized during the investigation. He pleaded guilty on June 5, 2025 to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine as well as possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) led the 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 assisted.
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 nationwide initiative using resources from agencies such as the Department of Justice’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces—to combat illegal immigration networks as well as cartels and transnational criminal organizations while aiming to protect communities from violent crime.
Community members can report suspected drug sales or trafficking through hotlines managed by both GBI (1-800-597-TIPS) or DEA Atlanta Division (404-893-7000), or submit tips online at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
Parents seeking information about fentanyl risks can visit www.justthinktwice.gov or other resources such as www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com , www.operationprevention.com/, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov , or www.dea.gov/onepill .
For more details about this case or related topics contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6185 . Additional information about the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is available at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga .
