Murder charge for man who supplied drugs

A 33-year-old Downingtown man is facing homicide charges after supplying a Parkesburg resident with fentanyl-laced heroin in August of this year, resulting in their death, police said.

Jeremy S. Yarnall, originally from Atglen, was charged by police following a lengthy investigation that concluded on Sept. 20.

Parkesburg Police Chief Brian Sheller said the male victim was 33 years old when he overdosed in early August. Parkesburg’s narcotics investigator was called to the scene when patrol officers suspected an overdose.

“This agency will pursue and arrest anyone responsible for dealing, or engaging in illegal or illicit drug use,” Sheller said. “Criminal activity, of any type, and those partaking in its spoils, has a profound and negative impact on the quality of life for the communities and residents served by this agency. Furthermore, we stand committed to the Chester County Municipal Drug Task Force and work very closely with District Attorney (Tom) Hogan’s staff to make Chester County a safer community. “

According to the Chester County Coroner’s Office, there have been 71 drug overdoses so far this year in Chester County. In 2016, 97 people in Chester County died of a drug overdose.

Nationally, the death rate of synthetic opioids like fentanyl increased 72 percent between 2016 and 2017, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Opioids, often heroin laced with the painkiller fentanyl, kills about 10 people every day in Pennsylvania. In Chester County alone, 547 died of drug overdoses in the past three years, according to the DEA’s Philadelphia division.

“We’re seeing this in all different parts of the county,” Sheller said. “It’s a big problem all over the place. The support we get from Mr. Hogan in these types of investigations is priceless. It’s through the district attorney’s office and municipal drug task force that we are able to do these investigations.”

Last year, Parkesburg dedicated an officer to investigate drug-related crimes on a full-time basis, with resources specific to the effective and direct investigation of drug-related crimes for the communities served by the Parkesburg Police.

After being charged and arraigned, Yarnall was sent to Chester County Prison in lieu of $50,000. The charge carries a 10- to 20-year prison term if convicted.