LOS ANGELES – A Hawaiian Gardens man is facing a potential life sentence after a jury convicted him today of supplying the fentanyl that killed an 18-year-old. Gregory Hevener, 47, peddled the deadly opioid disguised as black tar heroin, leading to a fatal overdose that authorities say could have been prevented.
The seven-day trial revealed Hevener’s cynical scheme: advertising “BLACK TAR ROOFING MATERIALS!!” on the online marketplace OfferUp – a clear code for heroin. Records showed Hevener actively used multiple accounts on the platform to distribute heroin and, more dangerously, fentanyl. In November 2020, the victim responded to one of Hevener’s ads, believing he was purchasing heroin. He wasn’t.
The transaction took place in Hawaiian Gardens. Hevener handed over a tar-like substance that contained not heroin, but a lethal mix of fentanyl and tramadol, a pain reliever. The victim drove home and ingested the substance, quickly succumbing to a fatal overdose. The evidence painted a grim picture of a dealer prioritizing profit over human life, knowingly exposing buyers to a potentially deadly substance.
Law enforcement didn’t just rely on the tragic outcome to build their case. Multiple searches of Hevener’s Hawaiian Gardens residence yielded damning evidence. Trash cans, scoured in July and October 2021, contained plastic bags and burnt foil with traces of fentanyl and tramadol. A December 2021 search uncovered a significant stash: approximately 245 grams of black tar heroin, a digital scale, more burnt foil, and 1.2 grams of fentanyl.
Hevener has been in federal custody since February 2022. United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi has scheduled a sentencing hearing for September 16th. Hevener faces a mandatory minimum of 20 years in federal prison, but could receive a life sentence. The charges against him include one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The investigation was a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the El Monte Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Kellye Ng, Maria Jhai, and Kyle W. Kahan are prosecuting the case, seeking to hold Hevener accountable for his role in this devastating tragedy. This case serves as a stark reminder of the lethal dangers of fentanyl and the ruthless individuals profiting from its spread.
RELATED: Hevener Dealt Death: Fentanyl Sale Killed Teen
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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