Tonia Sue White, Fentanyl-Related Death, Iowa 2021

Tonia Sue White Sentenced to 188 Months in Prison for Fentanyl-Related Death

DES MOINES, IA - A Des Moines woman has been sentenced to federal prison for her role in a fentanyl-related death. Tonia Sue White, 41, was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Rebecca Goodgame Ebinger to 188 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance which resulted in death.

White previously pleaded guilty to the charge. The sentence was handed down on December 16, 2021.

On June 17, 2020, members of the Des Moines Police Department were dispatched to a Walgreens in Des Moines for a drug overdose. The victim was rushed to the hospital and was later pronounced dead.

Members of the Des Moines Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit made contact with the victim’s associate, who was with the victim at the time of the overdose, who provided information that led detectives to White. In a post-Miranda interview, White admitted to distributing a quantity of heroin to the victim’s associate, which was shared with the victim. Lab results indicated the substance White distributed was a heroin and fentanyl mixture.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

White's sentence of 188 months in prison is the result of her guilty plea to the charge of distributing a controlled substance which resulted in death. The investigation and prosecution of this case are a testament to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and prosecutors to combat the opioid crisis and bring those responsible to justice.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdia/pr/des-moines-woman-sentenced-federal-prison-fentanyl-overdose-death