Akron Man Found Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl that Led to Fatal Overdose

Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that on Monday, November 15, 2021, a federal jury returned guilty verdicts against Defendant Quentin D. Watson, 35, of Akron, Ohio, following a week-long trial before Judge Pamela A. Barker in Cleveland.  Watson was found guilty of distributing a fentanyl substance that led to a fatal overdose, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. 

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on June 24, 2020, Watson distributed a fentanyl substance to a woman identified in court documents as M.M., who ingested the substance, overdosed and died.  Later, in October of 2020, Akron Police stopped and searched a vehicle that Watson was driving and found various amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine and a 9mm pistol.

Watson faces a mandatory minimum of at least 25 years imprisonment and a max possible sentence of life.  A sentencing date has not been scheduled.

This case was investigated by the Akron Police Department, Akron Fire Department, Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office, Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Aaron P. Howell and Christopher J. Joyce.