ALBANY, Ga. – A federal criminal complaint charging an Albany resident with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine was unsealed this week.
Larry Sparks aka “Detroit,” 45, had his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Court Judge Thomas Q. Langstaff at the U.S. Courthouse in Albany on May 18 and was ordered detained by the Court. Sparks is charged by criminal complaint with one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. If convicted, Sparks faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. Sparks is scheduled to have his detention hearing in Macon, Georgia, next week. The criminal complaint was unsealed on May 18.
According to court proceedings and the criminal complaint, in March 2023, a GBI-led wire-tap undercover investigation began into the defendant’s alleged distribution of fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine in Southwest Georgia from his residence at 1501 Pinecrest Dr. in Albany and other locations in the city. Sparks is allegedly associated with several controlled substances overdoses resulting in deaths dating back to 2018. A federal search warrant was executed at the Pinecrest Dr. residence on May 16; agents seized 1,265 grams of fentanyl, 3,027 grams of methamphetamine and seven firearms. Sparks is a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the GBI Southwestern Drug Enforcement Office in Albany, the DEA, the Albany Police Department, the Dougherty County Sheriff’s Office, the Dougherty County Police Department, the Dougherty County District Attorney’s Office, the Americus Police Department, the Colquitt County Sheriff’s Office and the Crisp County Sheriff’s Office.
Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case.
A complaint is only an allegation of criminal conduct, and all defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law beyond a reasonable doubt.