Clark County Man Sentenced for Possessing Carfentanil

DAYTON – Craig H. Gilbreath, Jr., 20, of Springfield, was sentenced in U.S. District Court to 60 months in prison for possessing carfentanil.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Timothy J. Plancon, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, Springfield Police Chief Lee Graf and Acting Clark County Prosecutor Daniel P. Driscoll announced the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Walter H. Rice.

According to court documents, in June 2017, Gilbreath was encountered by police in Springfield, Ohio. Gilbreath ran from officers and ultimately threw bags containing approximately 14 grams of carfentanil.

Gilbreath pleaded guilty in August 2018 to one count of possessing with the intent to distribute more than 10 grams of carfentanil.

According to the DEA, carfentanil is an analogue of fentanyl and is 10,000 times more potent than morphine. Carfentanil is used in veterinary practice to immobilize large animals.

“Powerful opioids, such as Carfentanil, will continue to be a serious threat to America and Ohio as long as drug dealers such as Gilbreath are willing to put themselves and the community at risk,” said Special Agent in Charge Plancon. “Gilbreath was in possession of enough carfentanil to kill approximately 700,000 people. This case is a testament to the relentless determination of law enforcement to make a significant impact on the opioid supply in Ohio and to keep our communities drug free.”

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the cooperative investigation by the DEA and Springfield Police Department, as well as Assistant United States Attorneys Andrew J. Hunt and Amy M. Smith, who are representing the United States in this case. 

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