Des Moines Woman Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

DES MOINES, Iowa – A Des Moines woman was sentenced on November 15, 2024 to 12 years in federal prison for distribution of a pill containing fentanyl that resulted in a victim’s death.

According to public court documents, Nevaeh Simone Botts, 21, sold pills containing fentanyl to a 16-year-old victim who subsequently overdosed and died. Botts also sold fentanyl pills to an undercover police officer three times. In July 2023, during the execution of a search warrant at Botts’s apartment, law enforcement found hundreds of fentanyl pills and two firearms.

After completing her term of imprisonment, Botts will be required to serve a five-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system. Botts was also ordered to pay $5,574.09 in restitution.

United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. This case was investigated by the Des Moines Police Department.

Fentanyl has become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Fentanyl deaths for youth ages 15 to 24 more than doubled between 2018 and 2022. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills often resemble pharmaceutical pills, but contain potentially lethal doses of fentanyl. Visit the Drug Enforcement Administration’s website to learn more about One Pill Can Kill.