Woodbridge Dealer Admits to Fatal Fentanyl Sale

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Woodbridge man is facing a lengthy prison sentence after admitting he peddled the fentanyl that killed a 15-year-old, federal prosecutors announced today. Maurice Lamont Gordon, 37, pled guilty to distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, a charge carrying a mandatory minimum of 20 years behind bars.

According to court documents, Gordon knowingly sold counterfeit pills pressed to *look* like Percocet – but packed with deadly fentanyl – to the teen on April 23, 2022. The victim and a friend went to Gordon’s apartment, cash in hand, specifically seeking the fake pills. The victim received his portion of the purchase and returned home, never to be seen alive again. The next day, Prince William County Emergency Medical Services found the boy unresponsive at his residence and pronounced him dead.

Investigators quickly zeroed in on the source. Narcotics paraphernalia, including aluminum foil laced with fentanyl residue, was discovered near the victim’s body. An autopsy by the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed the cause of death: Accidental Fentanyl Intoxication. Only fentanyl and its metabolite, despropionylfentanyl, were present in the victim’s system – no other drugs or alcohol contributed to the tragedy.

The bust didn’t stop at the fatal pills. On October 12, 2022, law enforcement raided Gordon’s home, uncovering a full-blown fentanyl operation. They seized over 1,100 counterfeit pills weighing approximately 130 grams, along with marijuana and cocaine. Adding to the danger, officers also found an untraceable “ghost gun” – a Polymer 80 semi-automatic pistol with no serial number – and ammunition.

Gordon is scheduled to be sentenced on October 3. While the mandatory minimum is 20 years, he could face life in prison. U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber, along with top officials from the FBI, DEA, ATF, and the Prince William County Police Department, announced the guilty plea after U.S. District Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff accepted it. This case is a stark reminder of the lethal consequences of fentanyl trafficking and the devastation it wreaks on families and communities.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren Hahn is prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristin Starr. Details regarding Case No. 1:24-cr-138 can be found on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia website and PACER.