Guilty Plea to Distributing Fentanyl that Led to Fatal Overdose of Newton County Man:

Yesterday, October 30, 2025, Matthew Bruce Burley pleaded guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter, Distribution of Fentanyl, and Trafficking Fentanyl for offenses related to the overdose death of James Nail, Jr. On December 30, 2022, Covington Police Department (CPD) officers responded to an overdose on Hannah Street. Nail was later pronounced dead at Piedmont Newton. Later testing by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab showed that Nail had substances in his system, including Fentanyl and Xylazine, that led to his death.

James Nail, Jr.

Fentanyl is a power synthetic opioid that is significantly stronger than morphine and heroin. While Fentanyl has legitimate medical uses, over the last 10 years, the illegal use of fentanyl has increased. Xylazine (commonly called “tranq”) is a powerful animal tranquilizer not approved for human use. Illegal drug manufacturers and distributors mix Xylazine with Fentanyl to prolong the effects of Fentanyl. However, Narcan, commonly administered to people suffering from a Fentanyl overdoes, does not reserve the effects of Xylazine.

CPD investigators conducted a lengthy and intensive investigation into Mr. Nail’s death. This led to evidence that Nail had obtained the drugs that led to his death from Burley. CPD then contacted the GBI West Metro Regional Drug Task Force (which covers 36 counties, including Newton) to assist with the investigation. Arrest warrants for Burley were obtained on June 21, 2023. On that same day, a search warrant was executed at Burley’s residence on Highway 81 in Newton County. That search discovered approximately 6 grams of fentanyl at this residence. This amount formed the basis for the Trafficking charge as possession of 4 or more grams of fentanyl is considered a trafficking amount. 

Matthew Burley

After Burley’s guilty plea to Involuntary Manslaughter, Distribution of Fentanyl (for the drugs provided to Nail), and Trafficking Fentanyl, he was sentenced to 15 years to be served in prison without parole or any possibility of early release followed by 15 years on probation.

The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Randy McGinley, Senior Victim Advocate Shay Payne, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Desiree Kozikowski. The CPD investigation was led by Lt. Daniel Digby and former Investigator Dave Stewart (now with the Walton County District Attorney’s Office).

This tragic case demonstrates the DA’s Office’s commitment to prosecuting those that distribute deadly drugs like Fentanyl. In 2023, there were over 70,000 overdose deaths in the United States from synthetic opioids, with about 70% attributed to Fentanyl. Those that sell and distribute these drugs need to be aware of the harsh consequences they face for spreading this poison in Newton and Walton County.

I commend the Covington Police Department and the GBI for their hard work and dedication to addressing the plague of these deadly drugs.

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit

Man convicted of sexual abusing two victims and sentenced to multiple life sentences:

This afternoon, a Walton County jury found Skippy Lee Cospy (now 67 years old) guilty in three separate cases being tried together. The jury convicted Cospy of the following:

• Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, two counts of Incest, Aggravated Sexual Battery, and Sexual Battery in a case involving a victim who is a special needs adult.  

• Family Violence Battery of the same victim.

• Rape involving a separate victim, who was a 12-years-old at the time of the abuse.

The investigation began in March 2022 when the Monroe Police Department (MPD) responded to a domestic dispute. Officers learned that the Defendant had struck the victim. The Defendant was arrested for Family Violence Battery. About a month later, the victim disclosed that she had been sexually abused by the victim over a period of time.

Skippy Lee Cospy

Coincidently, the day after the victim was forensically interviewed, the Defendant contacted MPD about him trying to get his vehicle back from a family member. The following day he voluntarily went to the police department to speak with investigators. He eventually made numerous admissions regarding sexual contact with this victim.

When investigators asked him if anyone else would know about his actions with the victim, the Defendant brought up the other victim. Investigators then looked into another victim. She disclosed sexual assaults that occurred when she was as young as 12 years old.

After hearing the evidence of all the incidents, the jury returned a verdict in under 30 minutes. The Court then proceeded to a sentencing hearing. One victim and the other victim’s family testified during sentencing about how these crimes have affected them. The Defendant made a statement claiming that he did nothing wrong. The Court then sentenced the Defendant to two consecutive life sentences with 112 years in prison to run as the same time as the life sentences.

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Lacey Majors, Victim Services Director Kim Kelly, Investigator Melindy White, and Senior Legal Melanie Sims.

90 Years Without Parole for Man Convicted of Trafficking/Distributing Deadly Drugs:

Friday, October 17, a Newton County jury returned a verdict finding Loyd Freeman Avant, III guilty of Trafficking Heroin, Trafficking Methamphetamine, and Possession with Intent to Distribute Carfentanil. Based on an ongoing investigation into Avant distributing large amounts of narcotics from his residence on Highway 212 in Newton County, the DEA obtained a search warrant for Avant’s residence. Agents found over 150 grams (over 5 ounces) of methamphetamine, 163 grams (about 5.75 ounces) of heroin, and 865 grams (about 30.5 ounces, almost a kilo) of carfentanil, numerous firearms, over seventy thousand dollars in cash, a money counter, digital scales, and ledgers of drug activity.

Avant was interviewed, after acknowledging his Miranda rights, Avant told Agents that the drugs, cash, and paraphernalia in the house was his. He went on to tell Agents that if they had come on a different day that he would have had more drugs at the house. He further told Agents that sent a juvenile to deliver drugs to a purchaser’s car.

Loyd Avant

On Wednesday, just before jury selection, Avant informed the Court that he wished to fire his defense attorney and represent himself at trial. After hearing from multiple DEA Agents and chemists, the jury deliberated for only 5 minutes before indicating they had reached a verdict. After announcing the guilty verdict in court late Friday afternoon, the Court set sentencing for this morning.

At the sentencing hearing, the State presented evidence of the Defendant’s criminal history. Because the Defendant had three prior felony convictions, the State asked that the Court treat Avant as a recidivist, meaning any confinement portion of the sentence would be served without being eligible for parole or early release.

The State pointed out that the drugs involved in this case are some of the worst in terms of negative impact on our society. In 2023, approximately 47,000 people died from firearm deaths, including both homicides and suicides. But, about 105,000 people died that year from drug overdoses. The public is generally aware of fentanyl and the deadly epidemic that has come about over the last decade due to its proliferation. Carfentanil is, however, less widely known. This drug is 100 times more potent than fentanyl and about 10,000 times more potent than morphine. This synthetic opioid was first manufactured as a tranquilizer for large animals, such as elephants.

Now, like fentanyl, carfentanil is used in the illicit drug trade to mix with other substances, such as heroin, cocaine, or counterfeit prescription pills, to increase the apparent strength of those drugs. This means that many individuals may unknowingly ingest this deadly drug. It is also extremely dangerous to first responders and medical personnel, as accidental exposure through skin contact or inhalation can be deadly.

After hearing arguments from both the State and the Defendant, Superior Court Judge Morris sentenced the Defendant to the maximum possible sentence allowed by law: 90 years in confinement without parole. The Court also imposed fines totaling $800,000 as mandated by statute based on the weight of each drug.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy Chief Assistant District Attorney Jennifer Brooks, Investigator Danny Peppers, Trial Assistant Danielle Miller, and Legal Assistant Sheila Cornelius.

After the verdict and sentencing, District Attorney Randy McGinley stated, “This verdict and sentence should be an example to those that attempt to make a living by selling poison in our communities. The amount of harm that these drugs inflict every day throughout our country cannot be overstated. Those arrested and brought to court for distributing drugs like this will continue to face harsh consequences in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit. The prosecution team did an excellent job in holding Mr. Avant accountable for his actions. I am grateful for the work of the DEA Agents in investigating serious drug activity in Newton County. Additionally, I want to thank the DEA chemists who had to fly in from another state for trial, despite the logically difficulties of doing so during a federal government shut down.”

Randy McGinley

District Attorney

Alcovy Judicial Circuit