Americus Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Armed Fentanyl Trafficking and Evading Arrest
Juan Antonious Boone, 36, of Americus, Georgia, has been sentenced to 181 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release for illegally possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and attempting to evade arrest. Chief U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner handed down the sentence on May 21. Boone had previously pleaded guilty on October 9, 2024, to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. There is no parole in the federal system.
“Armed repeat felons distributing fentanyl and other dangerous illegal substances will find their cases in federal court,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney C. Shanelle Booker. “We are grateful that no one was injured when the defendant recklessly sped away in his car while attempting to evade arrest. I want to thank the teams from the Americus Police Department, GBI and ATF for helping us hold the defendant accountable for his crimes and their tireless efforts to make our communities safer.”
“Let me be clear—if you’re a convicted felon pushing fentanyl and carrying illegal firearms, the ATF will find you, and you will face the full force of federal prosecution,” said ATF Assistant Special Agent in Charge Beau Kolodka of the Atlanta Field Division.
“Fentanyl distribution and armed criminal activity pose a grave threat to public safety,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This sentencing sends a clear message: individuals who choose to traffic deadly drugs and illegally possess firearms will be met with the full force of the law. We remain steadfast in our mission to protect Georgia communities through strong partnerships and relentless investigative work.”
“The Americus Police Department appreciates the teamwork between local, state and federal law enforcement partners that helps to get dangerous criminals like this off our streets. We are all in the fight together against violent offenders who are flooding our streets with fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics,” said Americus Police Chief Mark Scott.
According to court documents, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) utilized a confidential informant to purchase narcotics, including fentanyl, from Boone in the Americus area between June 13 and August 7, 2023. On January 8, 2024, GBI conducted surveillance on Boone at the Days Inn in Americus. When Boone, who was wanted on an active probation warrant, departed the hotel, Americus Police Department (APD) officers attempted a traffic stop. Boone disregarded instructions to exit his vehicle, instead driving away at a high speed and nearly striking an APD officer. APD officers pursued Boone to a nearby apartment complex where, at a dead-end, he abandoned his vehicle and fled on foot with a firearm in each hand. Boone was safely apprehended.
Boone, a convicted felon with several prior felony convictions including two for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and one for possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony, was found to be illegally possessing two stolen 9mm pistols. Inside his car, police discovered approximately 24 grams of fentanyl, 79.743 grams of methamphetamine, 251 grams of cocaine, a large quantity of marijuana, and another 9mm semiautomatic pistol.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), and the Americus Police Department (APD). Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Redavid prosecuted the case for the Government.
