MIAMI – In a devastating blow to the opioid epidemic, four South Florida residents have been sentenced to federal prison for distributing fentanyl and meth, resulting in death.
Gito St Fort, 35, of West Palm Beach, Florida, a career criminal, was sentenced to 320 months in federal prison (26.67 years) after pleading guilty to distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death on January 16, 2024. On December 24, 2023, St Fort sold the victim the fentanyl, which resulted in his death while the victim was visiting his parents.
St Fort’s egregious actions were not an isolated incident, as he has a history of committing crimes. His lengthy sentence is a testament to the severity of his crimes and the devastating consequences of the opioid epidemic.
Additionally, three other individuals were sentenced to federal prison for their roles in distributing fentanyl and meth. Anwar Hazzi, 36, of Sunny Isles Beach, Florida, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison (16.67 years) after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking on January 15, 2024. The fentanyl was concealed within counterfeit prescription pills resembling oxycodone, and the meth was concealed within counterfeit prescription pills resembling Adderall.
Furthermore, Samantha Yi, 31, of Lake Worth, Florida, was sentenced to 288 months in federal prison (24 years) after pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, and possession of firearms by a convicted felon on January 15, 2024. Yi and her then-boyfriend, Darnell Julio Mendez, 32, of Lake Worth, sold fentanyl to the mother of a 10-month-old baby who fatally overdosed on the fentanyl in March 2022.
The DEA Miami Field Division investigated the cases with assistance from PBSO, BBPD, and the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam McMichael, Brian Ralston, and Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted the cases.
The opioid epidemic has ravaged communities across the country, with synthetic opioids like fentanyl being a leading cause of overdose deaths. Fentanyl has proven to be a deadly poison that does not discriminate, affecting every gender, race, age, and economic background. The devastating effects of fentanyl are highlighted by the fact that even in small doses, fentanyl can be deadly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths. Over 150 people die every day from overdoses related to synthetic opioids like fentanyl. The State of Florida has also seen an exponential increase in overdoses associated with fentanyl, with over 5,622 people dying from overdoses involving fentanyl and fentanyl analogs in 2022.
Related Federal Cases
- Trumaine Lucky Muller, Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death, Florida 2019 · Ohio
- Jonathan Bohn, Distribution of Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Florida 2017 · South Carolina
- Scott Anthony Sargent, Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Death, California 2022 · Wisconsin
- Terrance Lamont Hines, Fentanyl Distribution Resulting in Death, Tennessee 2024 · Michigan
- Christopher Sharod Massena, Fentanyl Distribution, Florida 2024 · Colorado
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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