GBI Arrests Tift County Man in Fentanyl Overdose Death Investigation; Worth Co., Tift Co. Sheriffs release statements

SYLVESTER, Ga. – The GBI, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office and the Tift County Sheriff’s Office have arrested and charged Mikel Julies Singleton, age 48, of Ty Ty, Tift County, GA, with two counts of aggravated involuntary manslaughter for fentanyl overdose, possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute, and use of a communication facility in the commission of a drug felony.

On Saturday, April 26, 2025, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office responded to a suspected fentanyl overdose. Morgan Young, age 36, of Sumner, GA, and Bailey Barfield, age 24, of Vienna, GA, were pronounced dead at the scene. Young and Barfield were taken to the GBI Crime Lab where an autopsy will be performed.

Police served a search warrant at Singleton’s home where they recovered suspected cocaine, suspected methamphetamine, and a suspected Schedule 1 cathinone. Additional charges are expected.

Singleton was booked into the Tift County Jail.

The Southwestern Drug Enforcement Office needs your help. If you have information related to drug activity, please call the drug enforcement office at 229-420-1254. Anonymous tips can also be submitted by calling 1-800-597-TIPS(8477), online at https://gbi.georgia.gov/submit-tips-online, or by downloading the See Something, Send Something mobile app.

The Southwestern Regional Drug Enforcement Office covers a 42-county area in Southwest Georgia.

From Worth Co. Sheriff’s Office:

On Saturday morning, April 26, 2025, at approximately 5:26 AM, Worth County E-911 received an OnStar crash alert indicating a possible motor vehicle accident on Poulan Shingler Road. Deputies with the Worth County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area and located a truck in a field. Upon arrival, they discovered two deceased males and a third male in critical medical distress.

Initial observations led deputies to determine the incident was not related to a vehicle crash; however, further investigation quickly determined the incident was the result of a suspected drug overdose that took place around the parked vehicle.

Worth County EMS transported the surviving victim to Tift Regional Medical Center for emergency care. The Worth County Narcotics Investigative Division responded to the scene and located a substance that tested positive for fentanyl during an on-site field test.

As the investigation continued throughout the weekend, it was determined that the fentanyl had been purchased in Tift County. On Monday morning, April 28, 2025, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was called in to assist. GBI tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in the substances collected from the scene.

Based on the evidence, the Worth County Sheriff’s Office obtained arrest warrants for the following charges:

• One count of felony Use of a Communication Facility in Committing or Facilitating a Felony (charges to be served in Tift County)

• One count of felony Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute (charges to be served in Tift County)

• Two counts of felony Aggravated Involuntary Manslaughter related to the overdose deaths (Charges to be served in Worth County)

On Monday, the GBI and Tift County Sheriff’s Office located and arrested 48-year-old Mikel Julies Singleton of Ty Ty, GA. A subsequent search warrant executed at Singleton’s residence resulted in the seizure of suspected cocaine, methamphetamine, and a Schedule I synthetic cathinone. Singleton was transported to the Tift County Jail, where he remains in custody with active holds for the Worth County charges.

This case remains open and under investigation. Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Worth County Sheriff’s Office at (229) 776-8211 or GBI Region 15 in Sylvester.

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Statement from Worth County Sheriff Donald Whitaker:

“This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and my deepest condolences go out to the families of the young men who lost their lives. We are seeing the deadly consequences of fentanyl throughout Georgia, and Worth County is not immune. This case is a painful reminder that even small amounts of these substances can be fatal. I urge everyone in our community: please don’t take the risk. If you or someone you love is battling addiction, help is available. Resources such as the Georgia Crisis and Access Line (1-800-715-4225) and local recovery programs can offer support and a path to recovery. We remain committed to holding those who traffic in this poison accountable.”

Statement from Tift County Sheriff Gene Scarbrough:

“I hope and pray that this devastating post, will serve as a STRONG reminder and CAUTION, to those of you who choose to purchase illegal drugs off the street, that the consequences of doing so can be very DEADLY. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families who lost loved ones because of this heinous crime.”

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