Gets 8 yrs. for bringing fatal drug dose to app founder
A drug deliveryman connected to the operation that sold a fatal dose of coke to HQ Trivia app co-founder Colin Kroll was sentenced Tuesday to eight years in federal prison on narcotics distribution conspiracy charges.
At his Manhattan Federal Court sentencing, Luis Meson, 33, apologized to the court and his family for his “careless decision” to participate in the illicit drug enterprise known as Mike’s Candy Shop, which claimed at least one life.
“I made a mistake. I own up to it. It’s not what I’m about,” said Meson, tearfully speaking of the effect his incarceration had on fathering his daughter.
“I’ve done great damage to my family,” he continued. “I missed a big part of being in her life when I was incarcerated.”
Under federal law, Meson is likely to be deported when he finishes his sentence.
Police discovered Kroll, 34, unconscious in the bedroom of his Spring St. home on Dec. 16, 2018, surrounded by drug paraphernalia. The app creator’s concerned girlfriend had called 911 to report him missing.
Meson and five others allegedly involved with Mike’s Candy Shop were arrested and charged in October 2019 with conspiring to distribute heroin, cocaine and fentanyl.
The group’s accused ringleader, Ariel Tavarez, fielded orders from a central location in Pennsylvania. Meson and three others — Christian Baez, Kevin Grullon, and Jeffrey Urena — were responsible for delivering the drugs to locations in New York City.
Manhattan Federal Judge Katherine Polk Failla issued a lesser sentence than expected based on Meson’s lack of a criminal record and extensive community service and engagement since his October 2019 arrest.
Meson’s lawyer, Lorraine Gauli-Rufo, told the court how Meson had enrolled in every program he could while locked up at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, obtaining 12 certificates behind bars and volunteering for more than 1,500 hours on suicide watch.
Under federal immigration law, Meson, who has lived in the U.S. since he was a small child, will likely be deported when he finishes his prison sentence.
“That’s a great punishment” for someone without a previous criminal record, Gauli-Rufo said. “He will be prevented from coming back here, and he has a 3-year-old daughter.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas Chiuchiolo told the court it was essential to make an example out of Meson to prevent future drug overdose deaths.
“Mike’s Candy Shop was selling seven nights a week — heroin, fentanyl and cocaine. Mr. Meson would make the
deliveries on the doorstep, three to four times a week,” said the prosecutor.
“He’s not being held for the overdose death, but it could have been anyone,” he continued. “The court has an opportunity to send a message to others.”