David Grimaldi, Distribution of Fentanyl, Rhode Island 2017

A devastating overdose in 2017 has led to a federal charge against a Rhode Island man. David Grimaldi, 23, of West Warwick, has been accused of distributing fentanyl.

According to court documents, Nicholas Bateman, 27, of Rochester, Mass., ingested one half of one of three pills allegedly sold to him by Grimaldi on July 1, 2017. He quickly became unresponsive and was pronounced dead a short time later at Kent Hospital.

A subsequent autopsy established the presence of alcohol and fentanyl in the blood of Bateman. The Rhode Island Medical Examiner determined that Bateman died as a result of the toxic effects of alcohol and fentanyl.

According to court documents, the three pills allegedly sold by Grimaldi to Bateman were manufactured to appear to be 30 mg. Oxycodone hydrochloride tablets. DEA forensic testing established the pills contained fentanyl.

Grimaldi's actions are punishable by statutory penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment followed by lifetime supervised release, and a fine of $1,000,000.

Grimaldi will be arraigned in U.S. District Court on a date to be established by the Court.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul F. Daly, Jr.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ri/pr/west-warwick-man-charged-distribution-fentanyl