Edward Lee Poorman, Heroin Distribution, Utah 2023

A federal complaint charges Edward Lee Poorman, 22, of Vineyard, Utah, with one count of distribution of heroin. The charge stems from the death of a Provo woman in 2016, whose body was found with toxic levels of methamphetamine and heroin-derived morphine.

According to the complaint, Provo City police officers responded to a residence on July 6, 2016, after a caller reported that a female was not breathing. Emergency medical personnel were performing life-saving techniques when officers arrived, but the victim, referred to as BW in the complaint, was pronounced dead a short time later.

A neighbor told officers that she had been walking by when she observed the victim’s son outside, looking lost and afraid. She stopped to see if she could help and was able to locate someone who knew BW and her family. This neighbor ran into the home to try to render aid, calling 911 and starting CPR when she observed BW’s condition.

The medical examiner’s report later revealed that BW died as a result of the combined effects of methamphetamine and heroin-derived morphine. Toxicology results showed about twice as much morphine in BW’s system as meth. Provo detectives conducted a search of the residence and found two used syringes and a small amount of black tar substance that field-tested positive for heroin.

According to the complaint, officers obtained a search warrant to search BW’s cell phone and later obtained search warrants to search the Facebook accounts of BW and Poorman. Agents discovered BW had used a Facebook messenger application and that it contained messages from a multiple-day conversation between Poorman and BW. The conversations, recounted in the complaint, show the pair coordinating timing and directions to purchase drugs in the days leading up to BW’s death.

In an interview at the Utah County jail in February, Poorman admitted that he helped BW secure heroin on the evening of July 5, 2016, so that she would share some with him. According to the complaint, after they had secured heroin from his source, he injected himself and then BW dropped him off at a convenience store. Poorman claims this is the last time he saw BW.

The potential penalty for distribution of heroin is 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Poorman is scheduled for an initial appearance on the drug charge Monday at 10:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Paul M. Warner.

Complaints are not findings of guilt. Individuals charged in a complaint are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in court.

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