Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. Acting United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia
Bartholomew Keeton Harralson, a 47-year-old resident of Atlanta, Georgia, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Georgia. He faces charges including possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. Additionally, he is charged with possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Authorities allege that Harralson had 28 firearms in his possession, among them a machine gun, as well as hundreds of thousands of pills containing fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated: “Thanks to the hard work of the FBI, DEA, and our U.S. Attorney, Georgians are safer following this drug bust. This defendant was using state-of-the-art pill presses to produce poison on a massive scale — he will now face severe consequences for his alleged crimes as we continue to shut down fentanyl networks across the country.”
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg commented on the case: “This armed felon allegedly ran a massive fentanyl pill pressing operation in our community, producing enough deadly fentanyl to potentially kill millions of people.” He added that due to swift action and collaboration among law enforcement agencies, Harralson's operation has been dismantled.
Paul Brown from the FBI highlighted the threat posed by such operations: “The scale of this fentanyl operation—run by a convicted felon—posed a grave threat to our community.” He emphasized the combination of drug trafficking and violence represented by high-powered firearms found alongside industrial pill-pressing equipment.
Jae W. Chung from the DEA noted their ongoing efforts: “The DEA and our partners are working hard day in and day out to protect our communities from the dangers and violence associated with drug trafficking.” He reiterated their commitment to bringing drug traffickers like Harralson to justice.
According to information presented in court by U.S. Attorney Hertzberg: On June 5th, 2025, law enforcement executed search warrants at two residences linked to Harralson in Atlanta and Douglasville. The searches uncovered large quantities of various drugs both in powder form and pressed into pills along with significant amounts of cash and numerous firearms.
The public is reminded that an indictment contains only charges; Harralson is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt at trial.
The investigation involves multiple agencies including the FBI, DEA, United States Postal Inspection Service with assistance from local police departments.
Assistant United States Attorney Thomas M. Forsyth III is prosecuting this case which falls under Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
For more information contact U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email or phone provided above.
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