Oklahoma City, OK – Three individuals were sentenced to a combined 26 years in federal prison this week for their roles in a fentanyl overdose death, the Department of Justice announced Thursday. The sentences stem from a case involving the distribution of fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a victim in Oklahoma.
The case highlights the escalating dangers of illicit fentanyl and the Justice Department’s commitment to holding accountable those who profit from its distribution, particularly when it leads to tragic loss of life. Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, is approximately 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, making even a small amount potentially lethal. This sentencing follows a recent surge in fentanyl-related deaths across Oklahoma and the nation,prompting increased law enforcement efforts to disrupt the supply chain and prosecute traffickers.
According to court documents, the investigation revealed a conspiracy to distribute fentanyl that ultimately led to the overdose. On February 16, 2024, U.S. District Judge Stephen P. Friot sentenced Demetrius Dewayne Ross to 10 years in prison. Earlier, on February 8, 2024, Judge Friot sentenced javier Antonio Sanchez to eight years and six months, and Brittany Nicole Hayes to seven years and six months. All three previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Joynes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kaleigh Blackwell prosecuted the case.Further details are available in public court filings.
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