Press Release
Evansville Man Sentenced to Over 15 Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Fentanyl Resulting in Fatal Overdose
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Indiana
EVANSVILLE- Kalib Scott Powell, 29 of Evansville, has been sentenced to 188 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to dealing fentanyl resulting in death.
According to court documents, on February 21, 2019, Powell sold J.H. a half-gram of fentanyl powder in exchange for United States currency. On February 23, 2019, J.H. overdosed and died. Her cause of death was determined to be fentanyl intoxication.
The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office responded to the overdose and recovered J.H.’s cell phone. An examination of that phone revealed a conversation about the planned purchase of fentanyl from Powell. It was uncovered that Powell had previously been warned by a customer after she sampled the fentanyl powder that it was very strong and “someone was going to die” from the ingestion of it. Nevertheless, Powell continued to sell the fentanyl powder knowing the danger.
United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A. Myers, Michael Gannon, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Indianapolis Field Office; and Sheriff Noah Robinson of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office made the announcement.
“Fentanyl is a powerful and lethal poison that traffickers sell with utter disregard for human life,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana, Zachary A, Myers. “The serious prison sentence imposed here will not bring the victim back to their family, but it is an important measure of accountability and justice. We will continue our efforts with the DEA and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office to hold fentanyl dealers accountable for the devastation they cause, and hopefully save others from suffering the same tragic fate.”
The Drug Enforcement Administration and Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge, Richard L. Young. Judge Young also ordered that Powell be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for 3 years following his release from federal prison.
U.S. Attorney Myers thanked Assistant United States Attorney Lauren M. Wheatley, who prosecuted this case.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
One Pill Can Kill: Avoid pills bought on the street because One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of death in the United States. Fentanyl is a highly potent opioid that drug dealers dilute with cutting agents to make counterfeit prescription pills that appear to be Oxycodone, Percocet, Xanax, and other drugs. Fake prescription pills laced with fentanyl are usually shaped and colored to look like pills sold at pharmacies. For example, fake prescription pills known as “M30s” imitate Oxycodone obtained from a pharmacy, but when sold on the street the pills routinely contain fentanyl. These pills are usually round tablets and often light blue in color, though they may be in different shapes and a rainbow of colors. They often have “M” and “30” imprinted on opposite sides of the pill. Do not take these or any other pills bought on the street – they are routinely fake and poisonous, and you won’t know until it’s too late.
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Updated August 7, 2023
Topic
Opioids
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