Drug Dealer Sentenced for Distributing Fake Pills that Contained Fentanyl

TULSA, Okla. – Today, U.S. District Judge John D. Russell sentenced Jacob Dean Rowell, 27, of Tulsa, for Possession of Fentanyl with Intent to Distribute and Possession of a Firearm in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. Judge Russell ordered Rowell to 181 months imprisonment, followed by five years of supervised release.

“Distributors like Rowell are endangering the citizens in the Northern District of Oklahoma,” said U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “Our office is dedicated to stopping the flow of fentanyl into our district. This case is an example of the collaborative effort of law enforcement to prevent illegal narcotics from reaching the streets.”

According to court documents, while investigating a drug trafficking organization in the Northern District of Oklahoma, DEA investigators identified Rowell as a fentanyl distributor who possessed a pill press used to manufacture counterfeit pills. Rowell also previously sold to undercover officers counterfeit M30 pills that were pressed with fentanyl.

During a search of Rowell’s home in February 2024, Agents found cash, a loaded handgun, digital scales, a pill press, several cutting agents or chemicals for the fake pills, and a white powder-like substance that tested positive for fentanyl. After receiving his Miranda warnings, Rowell admitted that he produces up to 1,000 counterfeit Xanax pills at a time, depending on demand from his customers. Rowell also admitted that since November of 2023, he has purchased fentanyl twice a week. Finally, Rowell stated that he traded fentanyl for the handgun found during the search. While Rowell was speaking with the Agents, he received a call from a customer looking to buy pills. 

The DEA reports a dramatic rise in fake prescription pills. Officials say that 7 out of every 10 pills with fentanyl contain a lethal dose. Less than 2 mg of fentanyl can potentially be a lethal dose. The DEA reports that authentic M30 pills contain oxycodone, and many fake pills are made to look like prescription opioids or stimulants.

Rowell will remain in custody pending transfer to the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Tulsa Police Department, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nasar prosecuted the case.

To fine more information about fake pills, go to DEA.gov/OnePill.

The case was investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF). OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations threatening the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. For more information about Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, please visit Justice.gov/OCDETF