Anchorage Woman, Inmate Pleads Guilty to Distributing Fentanyl in Prison

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced that an Anchorage woman, who is an inmate at Hiland Mountain Correctional Center (HMCC), pleaded guilty yesterday to distributing fentanyl to other inmates while in prison.

Dorothy Elizabeth Lantz, 36, of Anchorage, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Ralph R. Beistline to an indictment alleging three counts of distribution of a controlled substance.  The sentencing hearing has been scheduled for July 9, 2018, at 11:00 a.m.

According to court documents, on October 30, 2017, Lantz, an inmate of the Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), was transferred from Anchorage Correctional Complex to HMCC, while carrying fentanyl inside her body.  When she arrived at HMCC that afternoon, Lantz distributed a quantity of fentanyl to another HMCC inmate, and distributed a quantity of fentanyl to two other HMCC inmates the next day, October 31, 2017.  In all, between October 30 and October 31, 2017, four HMCC inmates collapsed after taking fentanyl, and one of those inmates collapsed two separate times during that time period.  All four inmates were resuscitated and survived.  DOC personnel were able to recover .38 grams of fentanyl from one of the HMCC inmates who overdosed after taking fentanyl.  The investigation revealed that Lantz had traded the drugs to her fellow HMCC inmates in exchange for commissary items.

The law provides for a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of $1 million, or both, on the charges.  Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offense and the criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) conducted the investigation, with assistance from DOC’s Professional Conduct Unit, which led to the charges in this case.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrea W. Hattan.