Houston County man sentenced 20 years after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl

A Houston County man was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 15 years to be served in the Department of Corrections, after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl.

WARNER ROBINS, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Houston County man was sentenced to 20 years, with the first 15 years to be served in the Department of Corrections, after pleading guilty to trafficking fentanyl.

A Houston County District Attorney’s Office news release says 47-year-old Joseph McKee White IV must also pay a $200,000 fine and faces other special conditions of probation.

On September 19, 2023, the Houston County Narcotics Investigation Unit executed a search warrant at White’s home and recovered roughly 18 grams of fentanyl and several grams of meth, the DA’s Office said.

“This is a case that was brought by the Houston County Counter Narcotics Task Force,” District Attorney William Kendall said. “Fentanyl is killing people across the nation, state and right here in our own community. This drug has been found laced in nearly every kind of drug available on the streets and has caught a significant number of overdoses among all ages.”

Kendall thanked law enforcement and prosecutors for their work.

“People who peddle this poison do not belong on our streets,” he continued. “They are a danger to those addicted to drugs, recreational users and people on the roadway. We will continue to seek out those who possess and peddle fentanyl and hold them accountable in the court of law.”