Edward Ginnis, Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Fatal Overdose, Alaska 2022

A Fairbanks man, Edward Ginnis, 39, was sentenced to 22 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose in 2022. The sentence also includes five years of supervised release upon his release from prison.

Ginnis was found guilty of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, a federal drug trafficking charge.

The crime took place in Fairbanks, Alaska, and occurred between May and July 2022. Ginnis agreed with co-conspirators to distribute and possess controlled substances in the area, including fentanyl, which he sold to others.

On June 7, 2022, Ginnis sent an overnight package containing $13,000 in cash to a co-conspirator in California, paying for a shipment of heroin intended for another co-conspirator in Fairbanks. The shipment contained 'chocolate,' a term used by the group to refer to heroin.

On June 11, 2022, a package arrived at the co-conspirator's location in Fairbanks. Ginnis and the alleged leader of the enterprise had orchestrated this shipment. The alleged leader arranged for additional packages containing heroin to be sent to Alaska, and Ginnis received more packages on June 16 and 21, 2022.

Later that day on June 11, 2022, Ginnis sent text messages to several distributors asking if they had potential purchasers. One of the distributors, the co-defendant in this case, allegedly offered to help sell drugs. On June 25, Adam Sakkinen, 32, who struggled with heroin use, messaged the co-defendant asking to purchase drugs. Sakkinen sent the co-defendant $50 before messaging that he was on his way.

At 12:58 p.m. on June 25, 2022, local fire and emergency medical services responded to a single-car accident on the side of a road in Badger. First responders found Sakkinen unconscious behind the wheel of his car with drug paraphernalia nearby. Law enforcement officials tested the paraphernalia, and it tested positive for fentanyl.

Sakkinen was administered six doses of Narcan by first responders and regained a pulse. He was transported to two hospitals and placed on life support at a hospital in Anchorage. Sakkinen spent 11 days in the intensive care unit before passing away. A sample of Sakkinen's blood tested positive for 20 nanograms per milliliter of fentanyl at the time of his death, which is above the average lethal level of eight nanograms per milliliter.

Ginnis was arrested in Fairbanks on July 14, 2022, based on a violation of his state probation. He was in possession of fentanyl intended for distribution and over $13,000 in cash.

The U.S. Attorney's Office thanks the law enforcement agencies that came together to investigate this crime and bring justice to the family of the victim. The U.S. Attorney's Office stated, 'Fentanyl traffickers choose profit over people when they sell drugs that lead to addiction and death.'

Ginnis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death on April 3, 2025. His co-defendant is awaiting trial.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/fairbanks-man-sentenced-22-years-distributing-fentanyl-resulting-fatal-overdose