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.

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