Jackson Man Sentenced To 35 Years for Distributing Fentanyl

A Jackson man was sentenced yesterday to 35 years’ imprisonment for convictions of distributing heroin mixed with fentanyl, causing the death to at least one individual, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.

Schneider was joined in the announcement by James Deir, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 

"Overdose deaths from heroin and fentanyl have become a national epidemic, including here in Michigan, and illegal opioid pushers such as DeMario Peterson are a significant part of our problem,” Schneider said. “Michigan law enforcement is fully committed to battling back against these opioid traffickers and the tremendous pain they are causing to overdose victims and their families.” 

“Armed drug traffickers present a significant threat to public safety leading to a path of destruction in the community,“  said Special Agent in Charge James Deir. “In this case, the path intersected with the greed of Demario Peterson who knowingly sold poison to members of the community which resulted in the death a vibrant 21 year old mother.  ATF will continue to partner with our law enforcement partners to utilize every available resource to remove these dangerous criminals from our communities.”

In May of this year, a jury convicted DeMario Peterson, 31, of multiple drug and firearms crimes.   At trial, the government admitted evidence demonstrating that Peterson mixed fentanyl into the heroin that he distributed through numerous runners.  A 21 year old woman overdosed and died from Peterson’s drugs.

This case was investigated by Special Agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in cooperation with Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.  The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Maggie Smith of the Drug Task Force, and Assistant United States Attorney Blake Hatlem of the Violent and Organized Crime Unit.