LOS ANGELES – A Hawaiian Gardens man is facing a potentially life sentence after a jury convicted him today of selling a lethal dose of fentanyl disguised as heroin to an 18-year-old, who subsequently died from an overdose. The case lays bare the deadly consequences of the flood of synthetic opioids poisoning our streets.
Gregory Hevener, 47, was found guilty of one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin. He’s been cooling his heels in federal custody since February 2022, and that stay is likely to be extended… considerably. The seven-day trial revealed a calculated operation masked by coded language and online marketplaces.
The victim, lured by an ad on OfferUp, responded to Hevener’s listing for “BLACK TAR ROOFING MATERIALS!!” – a transparent attempt to disguise the illegal sale of black tar heroin. Evidence showed Hevener wasn’t just a one-time dealer; he actively used multiple accounts on the platform to advertise and distribute heroin and, crucially, fentanyl. He met the victim in Hawaiian Gardens and completed the transaction, knowingly passing off a deadly concoction.
What Hevener sold wasn’t heroin, but a tar-like substance containing fentanyl and tramadol, a powerful pain reliever. The victim drove home and consumed the drugs, quickly succumbing to a fatal overdose. The callousness is staggering. But the evidence didn’t stop there. Multiple searches of Hevener’s Hawaiian Gardens residence yielded damning proof of continued drug activity.
In July and October 2021, trash pulls revealed discarded plastic bags and burnt foil laced with fentanyl and tramadol residue. A December 2021 search turned up a substantial stash – approximately 245 grams of black tar heroin, a digital scale, more burnt foil, and a bag containing 1.2 grams of pure fentanyl. This wasn’t a small-time operation; Hevener was a significant player in the fentanyl pipeline.
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. Assistant United States Attorneys Kellye Ng, Maria Jhai, and Kyle W. Kahan of the Violent and Organized Crime and International Narcotics sections are prosecuting the case. The investigation was a joint effort by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the El Monte Police Department. This conviction serves as a grim reminder: dealing fentanyl is dealing with death, and we will hold those responsible accountable.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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