Heidi Kalous, Conspiring to Distribute Heroin and Fentanyl, Florida 2019

A Tampa woman has been charged with distributing heroin and fentanyl, resulting in death. Heidi Kalous (39, Dunedin) faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years and up to life in federal prison if convicted.

According to court documents, Kalous conspired with others to possess and distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl beginning no later than June 5, 2019, and continuing through June 28, 2019.

On June 5, 2019, Kalous distributed two bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to an individual. The individual injected himself with the substance from the bags and died. A medical autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl toxicity.

Kalous continued to distribute narcotics, including crack cocaine, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl, and heroin, out of a motel in Dunedin between June 5 and June 27, 2019.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is part of the Middle District of Florida's anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. The case was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner's Office.

The case will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-woman-charged-distributing-heroin-and-fentanyl-causing-death-0