Hopkins Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Distributing Deadly Fentanyl
Aaron Rhy Broussard, 31, has been sentenced to life in prison for distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people, in a case announced by U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Broussard, of Hopkins, Minnesota, conspired with his China-based suppliers to smuggle deadly drugs into the country. He marketed these drugs for sale on his website, PlantFoodUSA.net, under the guise of selling plant food. He then used the United States mail and a United States Postal Service “Click-N-Ship” account to send out packages of deadly drugs around the country.
On March 12, 2016, Broussard placed a drug order for 100 grams of 4-FA, a controlled substance analogue, which was shipped from China. The package actually contained 100 grams of 99% pure fentanyl. Although Broussard had experienced a similar mix-up in August 2015 and was repeatedly told to test his drugs, he did not do so.
Between March 31 and April 27, 2016, Broussard sent his branded packages containing fentanyl to more than a dozen customers throughout the United States. The customers had ordered and were expecting to receive an amphetamine analogue, similar to Adderall. They were not opiate users and had no tolerance for the deadly fentanyl Broussard sent them. After ingesting the fentanyl, believing it was Adderall, eleven of the customers died from a fentanyl overdose, and at least four customers suffered serious bodily injury.
Broussard continued distributing his deadly packages despite hearing about adverse reactions. Even after he learned that several customers had been hospitalized and nearly died, Broussard never warned his customers not to take the deadly drugs. Broussard did reach out to his suppliers in China to request a discount on his next drug delivery.
On March 31, 2022, following a 10-day jury trial before Senior U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Broussard was convicted on 17 counts, including conspiracy, importation of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.
According to the evidence presented at trial, from 2014 through December 6, 2016, Broussard obtained controlled substances, including fentanyl, from China-based drug suppliers. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners played a critical role in protecting American consumers from illegal narcotics being shipped via the U.S. Mail.
U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger said, “Eleven lives lost. Families, friends, and communities forever changed by the devastation brought on by Aaron Broussard’s deadly fentanyl. Although the trauma felt by the victims can never be undone and the true cost can never be calculated, Mr. Broussard will now spend the remainder of his life behind bars.”
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Justin C. King said, “Let today’s sentencing serve as a wakeup call to the drug traffickers pushing fentanyl in and around our communities. A mere two milligrams of fentanyl, equivalent in size to a few grains of salt, is enough to potentially kill a person. The threat of fentanyl is real, and the traffickers pushing this deadly substance will be held accountable for the lives they’ve taken, the families they’ve hurt and the communities they’ve devastated.”
Inspector in Charge Ruth M. Mendonça of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Denver Division, stated, “Today’s sentencing of Aaron Broussard sends a clear message in how critical a role the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and its law enforcement partners play in protecting American consumers from illegal narcotics being shipped via the U.S. Mail.”
The case was investigated by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Broussard, 31, of Hopkins, Minnesota, was sentenced to life in prison for distributing controlled substances, including fentanyl, which resulted in the deaths of eleven people and caused serious bodily injury to four people.
Exact criminal charges: Conspiracy, importation of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substance analogues.
City and state: Hopkins, Minnesota
Exact date: March 31, 2022
Sentence: Life in prison
Dollar amounts: None
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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