Macon Fentanyl Trafficker Sentenced to 18 Years in Federal Prison

Antonio Jenord Whitehead, a 37-year-old resident of Macon, has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Chief U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell handed down the sentence on June 5.

“Those who push fentanyl into Middle Georgia risk lives and make our communities more dangerous places to live and work,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This case reflects that the penalties for such conduct will be steep, especially when the perpetrators are repeat felons.”

“Despite previous convictions, Whitehead continued to plague our communities with fentanyl, fueling the deadliest drug epidemic our country has ever seen,” said Robert Gibbs, Senior Supervisor Resident Agent of FBI Atlanta’s Macon office. “This conviction demonstrates the FBI’s commitment to work diligently along with our local and federal partners to investigate and remove the leaders of these drug trafficking operations from our streets.”

Court documents revealed that Whitehead’s arrest occurred on February 20, 2023, during a traffic stop on Georgia Highway 401 conducted by a Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputy. Upon smelling drugs and discovering the driver’s suspended license, officers initiated a search of the vehicle. Whitehead attempted to flee by taking the driver’s seat, prompting officers to disable the vehicle’s tires and apprehend him.

A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered a suitcase containing plastic bags filled with fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Whitehead also had additional drugs on his person, including marijuana and fentanyl. In total, he was found in possession of 207 grams of fentanyl, 554 grams of methamphetamine, and 101 grams of cocaine.

At the time of his arrest, Whitehead was under supervised release for two prior federal drug distribution convictions in the Southern District of West Virginia.

The case was a joint effort between the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI, with Deputy Criminal Chief Will Keyes prosecuting on behalf of the Government.