Atlanta Man Sentenced to Over 28 Years for Distributing Fentanyl Linked to Fatal Overdose

FentanylPhoto byDEA

Macon, GA — An Atlanta man has been sentenced to more than 28 years in federal prison for his role in a fentanyl distribution operation that led to a fatal overdose. Lagary Williams, also known as "Frog," was sentenced to 340 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on August 8, 2024. Williams, 40, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances on October 30, 2023. Under federal law, there is no parole.

The sentencing followed a detailed investigation that uncovered Williams' involvement in supplying large quantities of fentanyl and other controlled substances to distributors in Middle Georgia. The case gained notoriety after wiretap evidence revealed Williams mocking the overdose death of a victim who had consumed fentanyl supplied by him. "You got one under your belt, boy [laughing]," Williams was heard saying to another distributor on the recording.

“Lagary Williams—who was recorded on wiretap mocking the death of a man who overdosed on his fentanyl supply—is now held accountable for providing kilograms of fentanyl and other deadly drugs to people living in Georgia,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat we’ve faced, and our office will continue to pour every available resource into addressing the fentanyl crisis alongside our federal, local, and state law enforcement partners.”

Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, emphasized the toll that fentanyl and methamphetamine have taken on communities. “This drug distributor and his associates will now face the consequences of their actions,” Murphy said.

The investigation, led by the DEA Macon Resident Office (MRO), the Ocmulgee Drug Task Force (ODTF), and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), began in July 2020 when agents received credible information about illegal drug activities in the Milledgeville area. Williams was identified as the primary supplier to co-defendant Damon Hayes, a multi-kilogram distributor of methamphetamine, powder cocaine, and crack cocaine.

Through surveillance, agents observed Hayes acquiring large quantities of narcotics from Williams' luxury high-rise apartment in downtown Atlanta. On September 10, 2021, federal agents executed a search warrant at Williams' apartment after intercepting communications indicating that Hayes was en route to meet Williams for a drug resupply. During the raid, Williams and another individual attempted to escape by jumping off the apartment’s balcony but were quickly apprehended.

Inside the apartment, agents seized 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 50 grams of cocaine base, seven pounds of marijuana, and two firearms, including a Glock 19 9mm pistol and a Ruger model 57 handgun.

GBI Director Chris Hosey highlighted the successful removal of a significant amount of deadly drugs from the streets, stating, “A large amount of deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine was taken off the streets of Central Georgia, and a key supplier has been stopped.”

This case was part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) operation, a program aimed at dismantling high-level criminal organizations. The investigation involved collaboration among multiple agencies, including the DEA, GBI, Ocmulgee Drug Task Force, and several sheriff’s offices across Georgia.

Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.