Ypsilanti Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking Resulting in the Death of a Victim

An Ypsilanti man was convicted today by a federal jury in Detroit on charges of distribution and conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute controlled substances, heroin and fentanyl, resulting in the overdose death of a victim and the serious bodily injury to a second overdose victim, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider.

Joining Schneider in the announcement were Keith Martin, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Division, and Chad Baugh, Deputy Director of Canton Police Department.

Found guilty was Adam Dean Brown, 39. The eleven-day trial was conducted before United States District Judge Sean Cox. The jury deliberated approximately six hours before returning their verdicts. Brown faces mandatory life in prison when he is sentenced on January 8, 2020. 

According to the evidence presented at trial, on October 17, 2017, law enforcement responded to a house call where they found an individual deceased in his basement. Officers found a syringe and packet of suspected heroin at the scene and determined the deceased died of an apparent drug overdose. A subsequent investigation revealed that the suspected heroin was actually fentanyl, and that the

22-year old victim died from a fentanyl overdose. Through their investigation, officers learned that the victim purchased the fentanyl from defendant Brown, a previously convicted drug trafficker. Further evidence showed that Brown and co-defendant James Sharp conspired to distribute illegal drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, over a fourteen month period in 2016 and 2017. Co-defendant Terence Robinson connected Brown to the October 17, 2017, overdose victim. Before officers could stop Brown, however, he sold fentanyl to a second local man, leading to his overdose and serious bodily injury. The second victim also overdosed on fentanyl sold by Brown, but the victim’s mother called 911 and first responders worked diligently to revive the victim.

"Overdose deaths from heroin and fentanyl have become a national epidemic, including here in Michigan, and illegal opioid pushers such as Adam Brown 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.” 

“Fentanyl and heroin are causing overdose deaths throughout the state of Michigan in increasing numbers”, stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Martin. “The DEA is committed to aggressively pursuing individuals and Drug Trafficking Organizations who distribute these poisons across the state in order to profit from the destruction of lives and communities.”

“The Canton Police Department is fortunate to be able to partner with the federal government and in this case, provide a voice for the victim and a sense of justice for the family members struggling with the loss of their loved ones,” said Chad Baugh, Deputy Director of Canton Police Department.  “We are hopeful this verdict sends a message to drug traffickers in southeast Michigan,” Baugh adds.

James Sharp pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances on January 11, 2019, and was sentenced to 41 months in prison. Terence Robinson pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, and will be sentenced on October 9, 2019.

This investigation was led by agents of the Drug Enforcement Administration assigned to the Southeast Michigan Regional OCDETF Strike Force along with assistance from the Canton Township Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys J. Michael Buckley and Hank Moon.