Winchester Man Convicted Of Distributing Heroin Resulting In Death

Defendant will receive a minimum of 20 years in prison

LEXINGTON, KY - A federal jury convicted a Winchester, KY., man today of distributing heroin that resulted in an overdose death.

The jury convicted 53 year-old Harold Wayne Salyers on Wednesday evening for distribution of heroin resulting in death, conspiracy to distribute heroin, possession with intent to distribute heroin and distribution of heroin. The jury returned the verdict after approximately three hours of deliberation following two days of trial.

According to testimony, in August of 2012, Salyers distributed heroin to an individual in Clark County who used the heroin, overdosed and died. Evidence at trial established that three individuals witnessed the victim ingest the heroin and that the day after the victim died, Salyers admitted to one of the witnesses, in a recorded conversation, that he distributed the heroin to the victim.

Experts from the Medical Examiner’s Office and the toxicologist testified that the victim’s death was caused by the toxic effects of heroin in the victim’s body.

Evidence further established that Salyers conspired with others to distribute heroin in Clark County from approximately August 2012 until June 2013.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration; and Kevin Palmer, Chief, Winchester Police Department, jointly made the announcement today.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and the Winchester Police Department. The U.S. attorney’s office is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Todd Bradbury.

Salyers’ sentence is scheduled for January. The distribution of heroin resulting in death offense carries a minimum of 20 years in prison and maximum of life. He faces a maximum of 20 years on the other heroin charges. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed after the Court considers the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.