Justin Turnick, Fentanyl Distribution, New York 2022

A Rockland County man has been sentenced to over 21 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in six poisonings, including multiple deaths.

Justin Turnick, 26, of Congers, New York, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to 21 years and 10 months in prison. He was also sentenced to 5 years of supervised release.

According to the government, Turnick previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. In his plea agreement, Turnick took responsibility for distributing fentanyl that resulted in three fatal fentanyl poisonings and three non-fatal fentanyl poisonings of teenagers and young adults between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, New York.

The victims of Turnick’s fentanyl distribution include Gustaf Olsen, who died at age 19 on February 3, 2020; Jonathan Shashoua, who died at age 22 on July 11, 2020; and Ione Koenig, who died at age 18 on July 31, 2021. Three other individuals, all teenagers or young adults, survived fentanyl poisonings as a result of Turnick’s distribution.

Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky praised the outstanding work of the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Clarkstown Police Department, and the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office in bringing Turnick to justice. He also thanked the Ramapo Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department, the Yonkers Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office for their support and assistance in the matter.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock prosecuted the case for the Office’s White Plains Division.

The sentence was imposed in connection with Turnick’s guilty plea to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846. Turnick was arrested on April 21, 2022, and has been detained since that time.

Related Federal Cases