NEWTON COUNTY — A Newton County jury has sentenced Loyd Freeman Avant III to an extraordinary 90 years in prison without parole after finding him guilty of trafficking and distributing multiple dangerous narcotics from his home on Highway 212.
Superior Court Judge Kevin Morris handed down the maximum sentence Monday, following Avant’s October 17 conviction on trafficking heroin, trafficking methamphetamine, and possession with intent to distribute carfentanil.
DEA Search Uncovers Major Drug Operation
According to the Newton County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) executed a search warrant at Avant’s residence, where agents discovered:
150+ grams of methamphetamine
163 grams of heroin
865 grams of carfentanil — nearly one kilogram
numerous firearms
over $70,000 in cash
money counter
digital scales and ledgers
Avant admitted at the scene—after being read his Miranda rights—that the drugs and paraphernalia belonged to him. He reportedly told agents he often had even more drugs on hand and admitted to sending a juvenile courier to deliver drugs.
Trial and Quick Verdict
Avant informed the court on October 15 that he would represent himself at trial.
A jury heard testimony from DEA agents and chemists, deliberated for only five minutes, and returned a guilty verdict.
Sentencing was held the following Monday, October 21.
Recidivist Status and Harsh Penalties
Prosecutors sought recidivist sentencing due to Avant’s three prior felonies, ensuring he would serve all confinement time without parole.
The state emphasized the extreme danger of the drugs seized—particularly carfentanil, a synthetic opioid:
100 times more potent than fentanyl
10,000 times more potent than morphine
Originally developed to tranquilize elephants
Deadly even through skin contact or inhalation
The court also imposed $800,000 in mandatory fines, based on the drug quantities seized.
District Attorney’s Statement
District Attorney Randy McGinley praised the outcome, calling the sentence a message to drug traffickers:
“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 these drugs inflict every day cannot be overstated.”
McGinley thanked DEA agents and chemists for their extensive work—especially those who traveled during a federal government shutdown.
