LEXINGTON, Ky. – A jury delivered a life sentence to Joshua Donald Ewing, 28, on Thursday, convicting him of distributing fentanyl that led to the tragic death of a 37-year-old Fayette County resident.
Ewing was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death after two days of trial and seven hours of deliberation. Due to his criminal history, a mandatory life sentence is applicable under federal overdose laws, with sentencing scheduled for February 6th.
‘The drug dealers who sell heroin and fentanyl in our communities know full well that the result of their criminal conduct is likely tragic and unnecessary death,’ said Kerry B. Harvey, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky. ‘We are committed to using every available tool to combat the opioid epidemic which so afflicts our Commonwealth.’
According to trial evidence, in February 2016, Ewing sold fentanyl to Jeremy Deaton, who was expecting heroin. Deaton consumed the drug and died of an overdose. A toxicologist testified that had it not been for the fentanyl, Deaton would not have died, noting Deaton had more than five times the therapeutic range of fentanyl in his blood.
Ewing was on probation for possession of heroin at the time of the sale. The investigation was conducted by the Lexington Police and the DEA, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury prosecuting on behalf of the federal government.
The joint announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Harvey; Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration; and Mark Barnard, Chief of Lexington Police.
Related Federal Cases
- Lexington Dealer Gets Life for Deadly Fentanyl · Kentucky
- Lexington Dealer King Gets 80 Months for Fentanyl & Firearm · Kentucky
- Lexington Duo Admits to Near-Fatal Fentanyl Flood · Kentucky
- Lexington Meth & Fentanyl Kingpin Gets 15 Years · Kentucky
- Louisville Four Face Life for Fentanyl & Meth Ring · Kentucky
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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