LEXINGTON, Kentucky – In a devastating case of the ongoing opioid crisis, a Lexington man has been sentenced to 365 months in federal prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 29-year-old woman who had given birth just two weeks before her death.
On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Danny Reeves sentenced 44-year-old Christopher Allen for distributing a controlled substance resulting in death. Under federal law, Allen must serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence.
In May of this year, a jury convicted Christopher Allen of distributing heroin and fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
“It’s hard to imagine a greater issue facing our commonwealth than this opiate crisis that continues to take lives and devastate families,” said Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “The people responsible for these tragedies, like Mr. Allen, have a heavy price to pay for their decision to pedal these poisons. This is a crisis that requires us to use every available tool to fight back.
According to trial testimony, in September of 2015, Christopher Allen distributed heroin and fentanyl to Nicole Alvarez, who had given birth to a baby two weeks before her overdose. Alvarez was found by her boyfriend in her home. Authorities were able to verify that Christopher Allen supplied the drugs to Alvarez. A toxicologist testified that Alvarez died as a result of the toxic effects of the heroin and fentanyl and that the level of fentanyl in her system was three times the therapeutic range.
The investigation was conducted by the Lexington Police and DEA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Todd Bradbury and Cindy Rieker prosecuted this case on behalf of the federal government.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky, the DEA, and the Lexington Police Department jointly made the announcement.
Mandatory facts: Defendant/Respondent real full name – Christopher Allen, Exact criminal charges – distributing heroin and fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl, City and state – Lexington, Kentucky, Exact date with month/day/year – Thursday, no date given, Sentence or outcome – 365 months in federal prison, and Under federal law, Allen must serve at least 85 percent of his prison sentence.
Defendant Information: Christopher Allen, 44 years old, Lexington, Kentucky.
Criminal Charges: distributing heroin and fentanyl resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl.
City and State: Lexington, Kentucky.
Exact Date: Thursday, no date given.
Sentence or Outcome: 365 months in federal prison.
Dollar Amounts: none.
Related Federal Cases
- Fred Rebmann, Distributing a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Kentucky 2023 · Kentucky
- Logan Charles Silliman, Heroin Distribution Resulting in Death, Kentucky 2017 · Kentucky
- Daniel J. Huegel, Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Death, Kentucky 2020 · Kentucky
- Allen Christopher Morton, Heroin Distribution and Firearms Possession, Virginia 2016 · Virginia
- Hector Salas Jr, Cocaine Fentanyl Heroin Trafficking, Kentucky 2018 · Tennessee
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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