Pair Sentenced in Overdose Death of Northern Virginia Teen

HARRISONBURG, Va. – A pair of individuals responsible for distributing the fatal dose of fentanyl that killed an 18-year-old high school student in 2023 were sentenced today in federal court.

Bessy Jimenez Mejia, 27, of Harrisonburg, Virginia, was sentenced today to 180 months in federal prison. Jimenez Mejia previously admitted to being the source of supply for the fentanyl that ultimately killed Cayden Foster in 2023.

Liam Conaway, 24, also of Harrisonburg, was sentenced today to 240 months in federal prison. Conaway previously admitted to obtaining the deadly fentanyl from Jimenez Mejia and providing it to Foster.

“Fentanyl is a clear and present danger to our communities. One pill can kill,” Acting United States Attorney Robert N. Tracci said today. “In this case, half a fentanyl-laced pill cost a uniquely precious and extraordinary young man his life. This office will seek clear accountability against those who profit from trafficking this poison in the Western District of Virginia.”

“We need a Fentanyl-Free America,” stated Christopher Goumenis, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Washington Division. “Our families are enduring the tragedy of losing loved ones, all due to greedy criminals like Jimenez Mejia and Conaway. For them, Fentanyl is merely a business; they lack concern for human lives and the well-being of our children. To the Foster family, we want you to know that we stand by your side in the fight against this crisis, committed to making a safer future for all. Your strength and resilience inspire us every day.”

According to court documents, in January 2023, Foster – who was at the time a high school student in Centreville, Virginia – reached out to Conaway, who was a student at James Madison University (JMU) to purchase pills. Conaway and Foster had previously consumed pills together during Conaway’s academic break from JMU.

On January 27, 2023, Foster sent Conaway $105 through Venmo to pay for the drugs. Conaway purchased approximately ten pills from his supplier, Jimenez Mejia, in Harrisonburg. The pills Conaway purchased from Jimenez Mejia were designed to appear as though they were 30 mg Percocet pills but were in fact counterfeit and contained fentanyl.

Two days later, a friend of Foster’s delivered three pills, sourced from Jimenez Mejia through Conaway in Harrisonburg to Foster in Northern Virginia.

On January 30, 2023, Foster consumed a portion of one of the pills purchased from Conaway. That night, Foster died from fentanyl poisoning.

First responders arrived at Foster’s home the next morning and pronounced Foster deceased.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Fairfax County Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant United States Attorneys Sally J. Sullivan and Jason Scheff are prosecuting the case for the United States.