Covington Man Indicted And Arraigned For Drug Distribution Causing Death

COVINGTON, KY - A Covington, KY., man has been arraigned on federal charges alleging that he sold a quantity of heroin to another individual who died as a result of using the drug.

On September 12, 2013, a federal grand jury in Covington returned a sealed indictment charging 28 year-old Timothy Tingle with distribution of heroin resulting in death. The indictment was unsealed Monday afternoon, following Tingle’s arrest. Tingle subsequently pleaded not guilty to the charges during his initial appearance in federal court. A trial date is set for November 25, 2013.

The indictment alleges that Tingle sold heroin, on or about April 20, 2013 in Kenton County, and that the person who purchased it died from an overdose as a result of using the heroin.

Kerry B. Harvey, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and Robert L. Corso, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, jointly announced the indictment and arraignment.

The investigation preceding the indictment was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Taylor Mill Police Department. The indictment was presented to the grand jury by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anthony Bracke.

Tingle’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 19, 2013 at 1:30 p.m. If convicted, Tingle faces a minimum of 20 years and up to life in prison, a maximum fine of $1,000,000, and at least 3 years of supervised release. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by the Court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statutes.

An indictment is an accusation only. A defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.