A Northeast Georgia man, identified as Dwan Maurice Hewlett, 41, has been sentenced to a 35-year term in federal prison on charges related to armed fentanyl trafficking, as reported on July 7 by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia. Hewlett, who has a long history of criminal activity within the Athens-Clarke County community, was convicted on all six counts in the indictment. These counts include conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, as well as possession charges for each substance, a firearm possession in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Following a trial that culminated on February 26, Hewlett received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Tilman E. "Tripp" Self III comprising 420 months of incarceration followed by ten years of supervised release. Running toward Danielsville Road at the intersection of Freeman Drive, Hewlett was intercepted by officers at an Athens gas station and initiated a brief foot pursuit before being detained. This marked the end of a significant local law enforcement operation.
"Armed career offenders distributing fentanyl in the Middle District of Georgia will face federal prosecution, which carries stiff penalties and no possibility of parole," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Georgia. The conviction highlighted coordinated efforts between varying levels of law enforcement aimed at combating illegal drug distribution. Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jerry Saulters emphasized the role of partnerships, stating, "This armed career criminal will no longer be selling the dangerous drug fentanyl in our community."
After Hewlett was taken into custody, officers recovered multiple illegal substances and a .380 pistol under the driver’s seat, where he had been seen reaching. A search of his cell phones revealed drug-related communications, including plans to distribute two kilograms of fentanyl in the days before his arrest. Hewlett has prior convictions for three serious drug offenses and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Clarke County Superior Court.
The operation and prosecution involved coordination among the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the FBI Athens Middle Georgia Safe Streets Gang Task Force, the DEA, and the ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mike Morrison led the case for the government.
