Hagerstown Heroin Dealer Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Baltimore, Maryland – U.S. District Judge Ellen L. Hollander sentenced Joseph King, age 25, of Hagerstown, Maryland today to 10 years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for distribution of heroin and furanyl fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury to an individual who suffered two overdoses and died after using the drugs.

The sentence was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Robert K. Hur; Acting Special Agent in Charge Scott Hoernke of the Drug Enforcement Administration - Washington Field Division; Sheriff Charles A. “Chuck” Jenkins; and Hagerstown Police Chief Victor Brito and Washington County Sheriff Doug Mullendore of the Washington County Narcotics Task Force.

According to King’s plea agreement, on June 1, 2016, he distributed heroin to Nicholas Perry on two separate occasions at a gas station in Hagerstown, Maryland.  The second batch Perry received from King was laced with furanyl fentanyl.  After using the second batch of heroin, Perry suffered a non-fatal overdose.  First responders were able to revive Perry after administering two doses of Narcan before taking him to the hospital.  Perry left the hospital against medical advice, and early the next morning he suffered a second overdose and died at his residence in Frederick, Maryland.  Investigators seized some folded paper with heroin residue at the scene, as well as a small packet of heroin from the dumpster.  The residue and heroin were analyzed and found to be heroin and furanyl fentanyl.  The Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death as mixed drug intoxication, specifically, heroin, fentanyl and despropionyl fentanyl.

On three separate occasions between June 3, and June 13, 2016, King distributed heroin, and heroin laced with furanyl fentanyl, totaling 2.3 grams, to a cooperating individual.  On November 9, 2016, King was interviewed by law enforcement after waiving his rights.  King admitted that he twice sold heroin to Perry on June 1, 2016.

United States Attorney Robert K. Hur praised the DEA, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Narcotics Task Force, for their work in the investigation.  Mr. Hur thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Burden H. Walker, who prosecuted the case.