Lee County Probationer Sentenced for Distributing Meth, Fentanyl

ALBANY, Ga. – A Southwest Georgia resident serving federal supervised release and state probation for prior drug distribution convictions was sentenced to serve more than 23 years in federal prison for supplying methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community, including to a woman who had recently given birth to his child.

Brian Chadwick Jeffcoat, 40, of Leesburg, Georgia, was sentenced to serve a total of 286 months in prison to be followed by eight years of supervised release on May 23. Jeffcoat previously pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of methamphetamine on Feb. 20; in addition, this sentence includes revocation of his federal supervised release in Case No. 1:19-CR-5. The defendant is not eligible for parole.

“Individuals who repeatedly disregard the law and continue to distribute the deadliest illegal substances into our communities—feeding addiction and affecting innocent lives—will be held accountable for their crimes at the federal level,” said U.S. Attorney Peter D. Leary. “This case is a tragedy on many levels, and we appreciate the willingness of a concerned citizen to speak up.”

“Our communities remain under attack by criminal drug trafficking organizations with no regard for the harm and destruction they cause,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “This investigation and subsequent arrest of this individual demonstrate DEA’s commitment to protecting our community.”

According to court documents, Jeffcoat was sentenced to serve 70 months in federal prison for distributing methamphetamine and was released on Nov. 2, 2022, to serve federal supervised release. In addition to being on federal supervised release, Jeffcoat was on state probation for a prior state drug conviction. DEA received information in April 2023 that Jeffcoat was continuing to distribute illegal drugs in the Leesburg area. Law enforcement suspected Jeffcoat was also supplying his pregnant girlfriend with fentanyl and heroin after a concerned citizen contacted local law enforcement that she was using drugs heavily, despite her pregnancy. On Nov. 5, 2023, two days after his girlfriend delivered their child, agents conducted surveillance and contacted Jeffcoat at an Albany motel where the couple was residing. Jeffcoat told officers he had fentanyl and methamphetamine in his vehicle and was on his way to meet a drug customer. Agents located three bags of methamphetamine, a bag of fentanyl, a digital scale and a clear glass smoking pipe in his car. His girlfriend told officers their baby was in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and that she had shot up with heroin and fentanyl a few hours earlier.

The case was investigated by the DEA with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI.

Criminal Chief Leah McEwen prosecuted the case for the Government.