A Macon man pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl

MACON – A Macon man with a criminal record has pleaded guilty in federal court to distributing fentanyl.

Gary Hollingshead, 30, of Macon, pleaded guilty to distribution of fentanyl before U.S. District Judge Mark Treadwell. Hollingshead faces a maximum of 20 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 8. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Fentanyl is a killer, and fentanyl traffickers in middle Georgia face federal prosecution and severe penalties,” U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary said in a news release. “Working with our law enforcement and community partners, we will continue our collaborative efforts to prevent the spread of fentanyl and prosecute fentanyl traffickers.”

“This professional criminal is a tragic example of people who do not care about the safety of our community,” said DEA Atlanta Special Agent in Charge Robert J. Murphy. “The DEA will continue to prosecute drug traffickers who cause addiction and destroy communities.”

Hollingshead was investigated by federal and local authorities for distributing fentanyl, heroin and methamphetamine in Macon, according to documents and statements released in court. Using a confidential source and surveillance, agents conducted their first controlled buy of methamphetamine from Hollingsworth in a hotel parking lot in Macon on February 10, 2022, purchasing approximately 83.9 grams of 98% pure methamphetamine. The second such controlled purchase occurred on February 16, 2022, at a local store in Macon.

While under surveillance, Hollingsworth asked an undercover agent acting as a buyer if he wanted heroin or fentanyl; an undercover agent demanded heroin. The substance believed to be heroin was actually a mixture of fentanyl weighing 28.56 grams. Hollingsworth also sold 140.1 grams of methamphetamine to an undercover agent.

Hollingsworth was taken into custody in Monroe County on March 9, 2022, after traveling to the Atlanta area to resupply. When deputies stopped a vehicle for a malfunctioning taillight near Interstate 75, officers smelled marijuana. There were three children of preschool age in the car. Detectives found almost a kilogram of methamphetamine and 56.30 grams of fentanyl in the car.

On March 15, 2022, agents executed a search warrant at the residence of Hollingsworth’s supplier in Woodstock and seized over half a kilogram of methamphetamine, an AR-15 rifle, a shotgun, two Glock pistols, a Ruger pistol, cocaine, crack cocaine, scales and marijuana. Hollingsworth has previous convictions for burglary and drug possession and distribution.

The case was investigated by the DEA, the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Chief Deputy Will Case is prosecuting the case for the government.