ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - A Southwest Georgia man who distributed kilograms of fentanyl and other deadly drugs while in possession of firearms and ammunition was sentenced to serve 40 years in federal prison for his crimes.

On Friday, Jan. 3, Larry Roger Sparks, Jr., 46, of Albany, was sentenced to serve 480 months in prison to be followed by ten years of supervised release, the U.S. Attorney’s Office Middle District of Georgia said in a release.

In April 2024, WALB reported that Sparks was arrested after being connected to having over 1,000 grams of fentanyl.

There is no parole in the federal system.

He previously pleaded guilty to the following:

• One count of distribution of a heroin and fentanyl mixture
• One count of distribution of methamphetamine
• Three counts of distribution of methamphetamine at a place where a person under age 18 resides
• One count of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute at a premises at which a person under 18 resides
• One count of possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute
• One count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime (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.”

According to court documents, a 2023 undercover GBI investigation into armed fentanyl trafficking in Southwest Georgia led agents to Sparks, who was distributing large quantities of fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine from his Albany residence, where three minor children resided.

Agents, working with a confidential source under surveillance and electronic recording, purchased controlled substances from Sparks five times, beginning on March 9, 2023, and ending with a final undercover purchase on May 3, 2023, when Sparks sold 478.2 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine.

A federal search warrant was executed at Sparks’ residence on May 16, 2023, according to the release.

As agents made their approach, three suspected drug customers in the yard fled; one of the individuals discarded a small quantity of suspected heroin and fentanyl mixture.

Inside the home, agents found 1.2 kilograms of fentanyl, approximately three kilograms of methamphetamine, needles, scales, Narcan, cash, and other items associated with drug use and distribution. Agents also found six firearms, including a Sig Sauer 9mm pistol. Lab results for the drugs seized at the residence are: 1,206 grams of fentanyl, 1,776 grams of 95% pure methamphetamine, and 963 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine.

On May 16, Sparks was taken into custody during a traffic stop. At the time, he was in possession of:

• A loaded Glock 10 mm semiautomatic handgun
• A loaded 50-round drum magazine
• A 9mm semiautomatic handgun
• More than $5,000 in cash

He admitted to receiving a four-kilogram shipment of fentanyl before the search and said that he had sold all of it, less the 1.2 kilos recovered by agents in his home.

Sparks has a lengthy criminal history and has been previously convicted of armed robbery and delivery of a controlled substance in Saginaw, Michigan, as well as possession of cocaine with intent to distribute in the Superior Court of Crisp County.

“Drug traffickers are poisoning our communities with drugs like fentanyl,” said GBI Director Chris Hosey. “This case serves as an example of our continued efforts to stop the drug traffickers who ruthlessly target Georgia communities. The GBI, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue working toward ridding our state of these deadly drugs.”

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

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