CLEVELAND, OH – Alec J. Steinberger, 21, of Highland Heights, is facing a 10-count federal indictment after authorities linked him to the fatal fentanyl overdose of a Cleveland teenager. The charges, unsealed today, detail a brazen operation involving the distribution of a highly potent synthetic opioid, furanyl fentanyl, and the calculated pursuit of profit at the expense of human life.
According to the indictment, Steinberger began receiving shipments of Alprazolam (Xanax) and furanyl fentanyl via mail as early as January 30, 2016, with the intent to distribute. The indictment lays out a disturbing pattern of communication, revealing Steinberger’s explicit efforts to expand his customer base. “I just got a pack bro,” Steinberger texted an associate on February 23, 2016, immediately signaling his intention to sell. He then targeted potential buyers, including a man identified only as L.H.
The texts between Steinberger and L.H. are chilling in their callousness. Steinberger bragged about the drug’s potency – “bro I did it last night any my pupils got so small they disappeared and then I was nodding for 18 hrs,” and falsely advertised its origin: “Bro this is uncut from the road” and “this is uncut from china.” He didn’t just sell; he actively sought ways to maximize profits, repeatedly asking L.H. about diluting the drugs and repackaging them for resale. “We gonna chill tmr” and “go to the hood and give samples” he texted, outlining a plan to flood the streets with his deadly product.
The scheme culminated in tragedy. On February 25, 2016, L.H. fatally overdosed on furanyl fentanyl purchased directly from Steinberger. Just hours before the overdose, Steinberger attempted to finalize a distribution agreement with L.H.: “Find me customers and tell them you’re the plug and I’ll get it to you and then sell it and cut u in a tiny bit and throw u a free (Klonopin) and dope.” This isn’t simply drug dealing; it’s exploitation, a calculated gamble with lives.
Acting U.S. Attorney David A. Sierleja and Cleveland Police Chief Calvin Williams jointly announced the indictment, vowing to aggressively prosecute those responsible for fueling the opioid epidemic. “We continue to seek long prison sentences for drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” Sierleja stated. Chief Williams added that the collaborative effort between local, state, and federal agencies was crucial in securing this indictment. The Heroin Death Investigation Team meticulously linked the victim back to the source.
Steinberger is charged with one count each of distribution of furanyl fentanyl that resulted in death, distribution of furanyl fentanyl and distribution of Xanax, and seven counts of using a telephone to facilitate the commission of a felony. If convicted, his sentence will be determined by the court, considering his criminal history and the severity of his actions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew J. Cronin is prosecuting the case, following an investigation by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and the Cleveland Division of Police. It’s important to remember that an indictment is not proof of guilt; Steinberger is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
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Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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