ARDEO Charges Gainesville Man in Fentanyl Death of Lumpkin Co Man

In Lumpkin County, agents with the GBI have arrested a man in connection with a death caused by a fentanyl overdose.

After a seven-month-long investigation conducted by the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, with the assistance of the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, agents arrested 34-year-old Joshua Arnes Maney of Gainesville.

Maney is charged with Felony Murder.

Maney is currently in the Hall County Detention Center facing charges for Trafficking Fentanyl, Possession of a Schedule I Drug with Intent to Distribute, Possession of a Firearm During Certain Crimes, and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute.

According to Special Agent Trent Hillman, the overdose death occurred in Lumpkin County in November 2021.

The victim’s name was not released as the investigation is ongoing according to Hillsman.

According to District 2 Public Health fentanyl deaths are on the rise in our area.

The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) Drug Surveillance Unit has received
increased reports of overdoses due to drugs mixed with fentanyl, particularly cocaine,
methamphetamine, and counterfeit pills.

Between early February and mid-March, at least 66 emergency department visits involved the use of cocaine, methamphetamine, crack, heroin, pain killers, and cannabis products that were likely laced with fentanyl.

One of those was in Franklin County.

Fentanyl is a deadly substance that can be made illegally and found in all types of street drugs, not just opioids.

The Department of Public Health said it is important to know that it is possible to have an opioid overdose from a stimulant (e.g., cocaine) that is laced with fentanyl.