Northeast Georgia Man Sentenced to Prison for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking

ATHENS, Ga. - A Georgia man with a lengthy criminal history in the Athens-Clarke County community and who was found guilty at trial of armed fentanyl trafficking was sentenced to serve 35 years in federal prison for his crime.

Dwan Maurice Hewlett, aka "LA," 41, of Hull, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 420 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Tilman E. "Tripp" Self III on July 7. Hewlett was found guilty at trial on Feb. 26 of all six counts charged in the indictment: one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl and cocaine; one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine; one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine; one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Armed career offenders distributing fentanyl in the Middle District of Georgia will face federal prosecution, which carries stiff penalties and no possibility of parole," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "Cases like this highlight the strong collaboration between our office and our local, state and federal law enforcement partners as we work together to eliminate dangerous illegal substances from the communities we serve and hold repeat offenders accountable."

"Cases like these exemplify the value of partnerships between local, state and federal agencies. This armed career criminal will no longer be selling the dangerous drug fentanyl in our community," said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters. "I am incredibly proud of the ACCPD officers and detectives who worked with partnering agencies on this case. We will continue to prioritize keeping violent criminals out of our community. I want to thank our partners for their continuous efforts in keeping our community safe."

"The FBI works tirelessly to get dangerous criminals like Dwan Hewlett and the drugs he sold off the streets of Georgia," said FBI Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Paul Brown. "Hewlett will now have a long time in prison to consider his past actions."

"Drug traffickers exploit vulnerable members of our community to generate profits," said Jae W. Chung, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of DEA's Atlanta Division. "The success of this investigation is proof that those destroying our communities with drugs and violence will be held accountable."

According to court documents and statements referenced in court, Athens-Clarke County Police Department (ACCPD) detectives had a confidential informant place a phone call to Hewlett to purchase fentanyl. Hewlett agreed to meet the informant at an Athens gas station on Danielsville Road. When Hewlett arrived at the gas station, ACCPD officers boxed his vehicle in and exited their undercover vehicles wearing "POLICE" marked body armor. Officers gave loud commands for Hewlett to exit his car. Hewlett looked up and saw the police. He immediately began making furtive movements, reaching under the seat. He then exited his vehicle, ignored the verbal commands and started running toward Danielsville Road at the intersection of Freeman Drive. Hewlett was taken into custody after a brief foot pursuit.

Officers searched his vehicle and found a .380 pistol under the driver's seat where Hewlett was seen reaching, and numerous tied corner baggies containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine for distribution. In all, officers found 133.51 grams of fentanyl, 58.31 grams of methamphetamine, 9.783 grams of cocaine and 16 grams of cocaine base. A search of Hewlett's cell phones located in the car contained many drug-related messages and photos, which revealed that Hewlett conspired with others to distribute two kilograms of fentanyl just days prior to his arrest. Hewlett has a lengthy prior criminal history, which includes three prior convictions in the Clarke County Superior Court for serious drug offenses and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

This case was investigated by the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force and the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, with assistance from the FBI Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the DEA and the ATF.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison prosecuted the case for the Government.