Source: Office of United States Attorneys
ROME, Ga. – Darrlin Vernard Warner, also known as “Juice,” has been arraigned on federal charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine, and possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking.
“Warner was allegedly trafficking a substantial amount of fentanyl and methamphetamine, posing an immense threat to the safety of residents of Paulding and Douglas Counties,” said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. “Fentanyl and methamphetamine continue to ravage communities throughout northern Georgia. Our Office is especially proud of the impact that our federal, state, and local law enforcement made in this investigation.”
“Fentanyl poisonings and other dangerous drugs are taking a terrible toll on Georgia,” said FBI Atlanta Acting Special Agent in Charge Sean Burke. “Disrupting the manufacturers and distributers of this poison remains a high priority for the FBI and our law enforcement partners.”
“This indictment highlights the significant threat that fentanyl and methamphetamine pose to our communities,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “The seizure of enough fentanyl to potentially kill 500,000 people underscores the deadly scale of this crisis. The collaborative efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement continue to be crucial in protecting our citizens and dismantling drug trafficking networks.”
“We are proud to stand united with our state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies in operations like this,” remarked Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Henson. “This interagency collaboration has enabled us to effectively eliminate a substantial amount of deadly fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine from the streets of Paulding County. As the new Sheriff, I will relentlessly work to ensure that these dangerous substances are kept away from our children and residents.”
According to U.S. Attorney Buchanan, the indictment, information provided in court, and other publicly available information: In October and November 2024, law enforcement found during the course of their investigation evidence that Darrlin Warner allegedly conspired to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in the region of Paulding and Douglas Counties. On November 13, 2024, federal, state, and local agencies executed a federal search warrant on Warner’s home and vehicle, recovering approximately one kilogram (2.2. pounds) of fentanyl, approximately one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and approximately $177,000 in cash, as well as other suspected controlled substances.
Two milligrams of illicit fentanyl can be a lethal dose, and the approximate one kilogram of fentanyl recovered from Warner is enough to potentially kill as many as 500,000 people.
Darrlin Vernard Warner, aka “Juice,” 39, of Hiram, Georgia, was arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge Walter E. Johnson on January 14, 2025. He was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 10, 2024.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendant is presumed innocent of the charges, and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Cartersville Office, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation – Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force, the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, with valuable assistance provided by Paulding County Fire/Rescue and Metro Ambulance.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Calvin A. Leipold, III and Thomas M. Forsyth, III are prosecuting the case.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Strategic Initiative focused on combatting the fentanyl crisis in northwest Georgia. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Anyone with information about drug sales/trafficking in their area can report it to the GBI at1-800-597-TIPS (8477) or DEA’s Atlanta Division Office at (404) 893-7000. Online tips can be submitted at https://www.dea.gov/submit-tip.
The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia encourages parents and children to learn about the dangers of fentanyl and other drugs at the following websites: www.justthinktwice.gov, www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, www.operationprevention.com/, www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and www.dea.gov/onepill.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.