Southwest Georgia Drug Dealer Sentenced to 40 Years for Fentanyl Trafficking

Larry Roger Sparks, Jr., 46, of Albany, Georgia, has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine while in possession of firearms. Sparks was sentenced to 480 months in prison, to be followed by 10 years of supervised release, by Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie A. Gardner on January 3. There is no parole in the federal system.

Sparks pleaded guilty to multiple drug trafficking charges, including one count of distributing a heroin and fentanyl mixture, one count of distributing methamphetamine, and three counts of distributing methamphetamine at a location where a person under age 18 resides. He also pleaded guilty to one count of possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute and one count of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, specifically a Sig Sauer Model P365 SAS 9mm pistol.

“Fentanyl and guns are a dangerous combination which will not be tolerated by this office or our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “Repeat armed drug traffickers will be held accountable for committing crimes which wreck the peace and safety of a community.”

The investigation into Sparks’ drug activities began in 2023 when undercover agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) launched an operation targeting fentanyl trafficking in Southwest Georgia. The investigation led agents to Sparks, who was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine from his residence in Albany, where three minor children were also living. Over the course of several months, agents made five undercover purchases of controlled substances from Sparks, with the final purchase on May 3, 2023, involving 478.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine.

On May 16, 2023, law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at Sparks’ residence at 1501 Pinecrest Drive. As agents approached, three suspected drug customers fled the yard, and one discarded a small quantity of heroin and fentanyl mixture. Inside the home, agents discovered over 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine, needles, scales, Narcan, and cash, as well as six firearms, including the Sig Sauer 9mm pistol. The lab results for the drugs seized included 1,206 grams of fentanyl, 1,776 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine, and 963 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine.

Sparks was arrested during a traffic stop on the same day and was found to be in possession of a loaded Glock 10mm semiautomatic handgun, a loaded 50-round drum magazine, a 9mm semiautomatic handgun, and more than $5,000 in cash. Sparks admitted to receiving a four-kilogram shipment of fentanyl before the search and claimed he had sold all of it, except for the 1.2 kilograms seized by agents.

Sparks has a lengthy criminal history, including prior convictions for armed robbery, drug trafficking, and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in both Michigan and Georgia.

The case was investigated by the Worth County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the GBI Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office (SWRDEO), and the DEA.

Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case for the Government.