A Fort Worth couple linked to at least two overdose deaths has been sentenced to a combined 51 years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl.
Edward Taylor, 42, and Tierrah “TT” Andrews, 29, were charged in March with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. Both pleaded guilty in May.
On Friday, Mr. Taylor was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman to 27 years in federal prison; Ms. Andrews was sentenced to just over 24 years in federal prison.
"These drug traffickers callously disregarded the risks of the drugs they were selling, and as a result, two people died," said U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton. "Traffickers know that fentanyl does not discriminate. It takes the lives of first-time users and long-term addicts alike."
According to court documents, Mr. Taylor and Ms. Andrews admitted to trafficking cocaine and fentanyl pills out of a motel room and an apartment in Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail neighborhood.
On Nov. 2, 2023, a 45-year-old man identified by the initials T.M. took a rideshare to the motel to purchase drugs from Mr. Taylor. Surveillance video showed the man briefly enter and exit Mr. Taylor’s room. Hours later, the victim’s mother found his body in his bedroom next to a crushed M-30 pill containing fentanyl. Four additional M-30 pills were found in a nicotine box inside the victim’s room.
Less than three months later, on Jan. 26, 2024, a 21-year-old man identified by the initials K.S. texted Ms. Andrews requesting “rocks n blues” (slang for crack cocaine and fentanyl pills). Cell phone data showed he took a rideshare to a gas station near her apartment, walked to her place, and paid her $77 via CashApp. Later that day, his sister found his body, where blue M-30 pills containing fentanyl, white powder, and a glass pipe were later found.
On Jan. 27, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Ms. Andrews’ apartment, where they found 270 blue M-30 pills, 2.8 grams of cocaine, 6.6 grams of methamphetamine, a drug ledger (also known as a “pay owe” book), and 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition. On Ms. Andrews’ person, agents found a privately manufactured firearm, or “ghost gun,” loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. She explained to officers that she dealt drugs provided by Mr. Taylor and carried the pistol “so no one does anything to me.”
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant/Respondent: Edward Taylor, Tierrah Andrews
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to distribute fentanyl
City and State: Fort Worth, Texas
Exact Date: May 2024 (sentencing), March 2024 (charged), Nov. 2, 2023 (crime date)
Sentence or Outcome: 27 years (Edward Taylor), 24 years (Tierrah Andrews) in federal prison
Dollar Amounts: $77 (CashApp payment)
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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