Hiram Fentanyl Dealer Sentenced to Federal Prison for Maintaining Drug, Weapons, and Money Stash

ROME, Ga. - Darrlin Vernard Warner was sentenced to fifteen years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl and methamphetamine while in possession of 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."

"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 U.S. Attorney Hertzberg, the charges, and other information presented in court: In October and November 2024, Warner conspired with others to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in Paulding and Douglas counties. On November 13, 2024, federal, state, and local agencies searched Warner's home and car, and seized more than two pounds of fentanyl, one pound of methamphetamine, five firearms, and $177,119 in cash.

Earlier today, United States District Judge William M. Ray, II sentenced Darrlin Vernard Warner, a/k/a "Juice," 40, of Hiram, Georgia, to fifteen years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. As part of the sentence, Warner forfeited the cash seized from his residence. Warner was convicted on charges of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime on June 5, 2025, after he pleaded guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Northwest Georgia Drug Task Force, with valuable assistance provided by the Paulding County Sheriff's Office, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, and the Paulding County Fire Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Calvin A. Leipold, III, Thomas M. Forsyth, III, and Jeffrey Brown prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces and Project Safe Neighborhood.

Anyone with information about drug sales/trafficking in their area can report it to the GBI at 1-800-597-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: https://www.justthinktwice.gov, https://www.GetSmartAboutDrugs.com, https://www.operationprevention.com/, https://www.CampusDrugPrevention.gov, and https://www.dea.gov/onepill.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6185. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is https://http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.