Federal Indictment Charges Montgomery County Man With Second Count of Distribution of Acetyl Fentanyl Resulting in Death

Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal grand jury returned a superseding indictment today charging Justin Larson, age 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, with one count of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death; five counts of possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue with intent to distribute; and one count of possession and distribution of a controlled substance.  The superseding indictment also includes the charges from the original indictment of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

The superseding indictment was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.

According to the nine count superseding indictment, from May 2014 through March 17, 2016, Larson participated in a conspiracy to distribute acetyl fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl, a controlled substance analogue.  The superseding indictment alleges that on May 9, 2014, and October 14, 2015, Larson distributed acetyl fentanyl to individuals, resulting in the death of those individuals.

Larson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison for each of the two counts of distribution of acetyl fentanyl with death resulting; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the six possession and distribution counts, and for the narcotics conspiracy.  An initial appearance has been scheduled for August 9, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. in U.S. District Court in Greenbelt, Maryland.  Larson remains detained. 

An indictment is not a finding of guilt.  An individual charged by indictment is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty at some later criminal proceedings. 

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI Baltimore, the Montgomery County Police Department, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution.  Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Erin Pulice, who are prosecuting the case.