NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. — On Oct. 30, Matthew Bruce Burley pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter, distributing fentanyl, and trafficking fentanyl following the Dec. 30, 2022 overdose death of James Nail Jr.
Burley was sentenced to 15 years in prison without parole, followed by 15 years of probation, according to a statement from the Newton County District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said Covington Police Department (CPD) officers responded to an overdose on Hannah Street, where Nail was hospitalized at Piedmont Newton and later pronounced dead. Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Crime Lab tests revealed that Nail had both fentanyl and xylazine — a powerful animal tranquilizer also called “tranq” — in his system, which caused his death.
While Naloxone (Narcan) can reverse fentanyl overdoses, it is ineffective against xylazine. Investigators noted that xylazine is often mixed with fentanyl to prolong its effects.
The CPD investigation determined that Nail obtained the drugs from Burley. Working with the GBI West Metro Regional Drug Task Force, officers executed a search warrant at Burley’s Highway 81 residence on June 21, 2023, recovering approximately 6 grams of fentanyl, an amount considered sufficient for trafficking charges under Georgia law.
Newton County District Attorney Randy McGinley emphasized the severity of the case:
“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.”
McGinley commended the CPD and GBI for their work in addressing the spread of these deadly drugs.
