Samantha Haiman; Andrew Adams and Desiree Temple Adams.Photo: Samantha Haiman/Instagram; Desiree Temple Adams/FaceBook
Federal authorities have charged an alleged drug dealer with selling fentanyl-laced cocaine that killed three people at an Orange County, Calif. home.
William Edward Dick Jr., 51, of Costa Mesa, Calif. was arrested Thursday and is accused of selling fentanyl-laced cocaine to two couples at a house on Balboa Island in Newport Beach in October, the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California announced Friday.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the couples had enjoyed a dinner together, and one of them decided to purchase cocaine for the group.
“They eventually contacted Dick, who agreed to sell them $200 worth of cocaine, which he delivered to the house where the couples were staying,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a statement.
“After snorting the purported cocaine, all four suffered overdoses, and three of the individuals were pronounced dead at the house the next morning.”
“In most of the cases, the victims did not know they were ingesting fentanyl, which can be deadly in tiny amounts,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Dick is being charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and he is scheduled to appear Friday afternoon before the United States District Court in Santa Ana.
It is not clear if Dick has obtained legal representation to comment on his behalf.
Fentanyl.JOHANNES EISELE/AFP via Getty
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“Often when we discuss the rampant rise of drug-caused deaths there’s a focus on numbers, but today’s announcement is an important reminder that these numbers are more than that – these are our children, loved ones and friends,” said DEA Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Bill Bodner in a statement.
“Fentanyl does not discriminate and it’s affecting every community, ethnicity and generation throughout our country,” Bodner added. “As we tackle the fentanyl crisis locally, we are intent on bringing justice to victims and their families, while putting drug dealers on notice that even selling one pill can have harsh federal penalties.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, please contact the SAMHSA helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.
source: people.com
