Erie Man Admits Selling Fentanyl that Caused an Overdose Death

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Derrick Lamont Hemphill, Sr., 30, pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, Hemphill acknowledged that he sold fentanyl that caused the death of K.A.J. on November 26, 2017. The indictment also alleged that on November 26, 2017, Hemphill possessed with intent to distribute fentanyl and a heroin/fentanyl mixture.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for August 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office County Detective Bureau, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, the Millcreek Township Police Department, and the Erie Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Hemphill.