Heroin Dealer Charged With Drug Dealing Resulting in Death

WILMINGTON, Del. - Charles M. Oberly, III, United States Attorney for the District of Delaware, announced that Donte Jacobs, age 28, of New Castle, Delaware, was indicted on October 13, 2016, for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of another person.

Jacobs faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 20 years in prison, a maximum sentence of a lifetime in prison, a fine of $5,000,000, and a minimum of 3 years of supervised release following a prison sentence.  Jacobs was also indicted for the illegal possession of a handgun, for which he faces an additional maximum penalty of ten years in prison, a fine of $250,000, and 3 years of supervised release.

According to the indictment, Jacobs conspired to distribute a controlled substance that resulted in the fentanyl-related death of T.A. on June 29, 2016.  Jacobs was arraigned on the charges in U.S. District Court today.

U.S. Attorney Oberly stated, “This is the first such indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Delaware.  The number of deaths related to the distribution of heroin laced with fentanyl has reached epidemic-like numbers.  Those responsible for providing this poison to those addicted to heroin can, where the evidence exists, expect to face indictment like this.

This indictment is the result of an investigation by the DEA Wilmington Resident Office – HIDTA Group 41, the New Garden Police Department, and the New Castle County Police Department.  Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher L. de Barrena-Sarobe is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States.

The charges in the indictment are only allegations.  The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.