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