Atlanta Drug Supplier Sentenced to 28 Years for Fentanyl Distribution Linked to Fatal Overdose

Lagary Williams, 40, of Atlanta, was sentenced to 340 months in federal prison, followed by five years of supervised release, by U.S. District Judge Marc Treadwell on August 8, 2024. Williams, who also goes by the nickname “Frog,” was convicted for conspiring to distribute controlled substances, including fentanyl. His illegal activities were linked to at least one fatal overdose.

Williams had previously pleaded guilty to the charge on October 30, 2023. During the investigation, wiretap recordings revealed Williams mocking the death of a man who had overdosed on fentanyl he had supplied. In one such recording played during the sentencing hearing, Williams was heard laughing and saying, “You got one under your belt, boy,” referring to the victim’s death from fentanyl poisoning. Other wiretap evidence showed Williams acknowledging the dangerously high potency of the fentanyl he was distributing.

On September 10, 2021, federal agents executed a search warrant at Williams’ luxury high-rise apartment in downtown Atlanta. This action followed intercepts revealing that co-defendant Damon Hayes was traveling to Atlanta for a drug re-supply meeting with Williams. Upon entering the apartment, agents found 2.5 kilograms of fentanyl, one kilogram of methamphetamine, two kilograms of cocaine, approximately 50 grams of cocaine base, and seven pounds of marijuana. They also recovered a Glock 19 9mm pistol and a Ruger model 57 handgun. Williams and another individual attempted to evade arrest by jumping from the apartment’s balcony but were subsequently captured.

“Fentanyl and methamphetamine have taken a terrible toll on our communities,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration Atlanta Division. “This drug distributor and his associates will now face the consequences of their actions.”

“A large amount of deadly fentanyl and methamphetamine was taken off the streets of Central Georgia, and a key supplier has been stopped,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “Partnering with law enforcement at every level, GBI will continue to dedicate resources to investigating armed drug distribution activity in a collective effort to make the communities we serve safer.”