Waikiki Drug Dealer Who Distributed Fentanyl Pills Linked to U.S. Marine’s Death Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

HONOLULU – Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson announced that Justin Wu, 23, of Waikiki, Hawaii was sentenced yesterday by U.S. District Judge Shanlyn A. S. Park to 120 months of imprisonment followed by 5 years of supervised release for distributing pills containing fentanyl and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to court records, Wu distributed five small blue pills containing fentanyl to an 18-year-old United States Marine on November 9, 2021 and was arrested in possession of approximately 17 grams of cocaine on June 29, 2022. Investigators determined that the Marine died from fentanyl toxicity a day after Wu gave him the pills. Judge Park imposed an upward variance from the advisory Sentencing Guidelines range, observing that Wu’s distribution of fentanyl contributed to and facilitated the Marine’s death. Judge Park also noted that Wu was dealing drugs while on federal probation for a prior drug trafficking conviction—a “brazen” betrayal of the district court’s trust—and that while in custody pending trial, Wu attempted to obstruct justice by soliciting another person to present perjured testimony on his behalf. Wu’s prior federal probation was revoked, and he was sentenced to concurrent time.

This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, with assistance from the Honolulu Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Albanese and Jonathan D. Slack prosecuted the case.