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Press Release
Press Release
Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces the return of an indictment charging Heidi Kalous (39, Dunedin) with conspiring to distribute a substance that contained a mixture of heroin and fentanyl, and distributing a substance that contained a mixture of heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl, causing death. If convicted, Kalous faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison.
According to court documents, beginning no later than June 5, 2019, and continuing through June 28, 2019, Kalous conspired with others to possess and distribute heroin, fentanyl, and acetyl fentanyl.
On June 5, 2019, Kalous distributed two bags containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl to an individual. The individual injected himself with the substance from the bags and died. A medical autopsy revealed that the cause of death was an accidental overdose caused by fentanyl toxicity.
Between June 5 and June 27, 2019, Kalous continued to distribute narcotics, including crack cocaine, fentanyl, acetyl fentanyl and heroin, out of a motel in Dunedin.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of the Middle District of Florida’s anti-opioid strategy to combat opioid trafficking and abuse. This case was investigated by the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Pinellas County Medical Examiner’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diego F. Novaes.