Jacob Cotton, Fentanyl-Related Death, Alaska 2023

Washington Man Charged with Fentanyl-Related Death in Skagway

Jacob Cotton, a 33-year-old man from Washington, has been indicted for his alleged involvement in the fatal fentanyl overdoses of two individuals in Skagway, Alaska in 2023.

According to court documents, Cotton allegedly conspired with others to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a substance containing fentanyl to another person from January 1 to January 13, 2023. He also allegedly knowingly and intentionally distributed a controlled substance containing fentanyl to a second person during this time frame.

On January 13, 2023, a 28-year-old man died after overdosing on fentanyl allegedly distributed by Cotton. The following day, a 44-year-old man also died after overdosing on fentanyl allegedly distributed through the conspiracy.

Cotton is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. If convicted, he faces between 20 years and life in prison.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case is being investigated by the DEA Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office, and the Skagway Police Department, as part of the Southeast Alaska Cities Against Drugs Task FORCE (SEACAD).

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jack Schmidt is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ak/pr/washington-man-indicted-2023-fatal-fentanyl-overdoses-skagway