Fentanyl death leads to federal charges
ASouth Florida man is facing federal charges he distributed the deadly street drug fentanyl to a 23-year-old Palm Beach County man who died of acute drug toxicity shortly after using the substance.
Christopher Sharod Massena, aka “Slim,” 24, of Lake Worth, will remainjailed with nobondafter a Friday hearing in federal court inWest Palm Beach. Authorities did not release the name of the victim.
Massena pleaded not guilty to six federal charges on Friday, including one count of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, four counts of distribution of heroin, and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The fatal narcotics distribution charge carries a penalty of 20 years to life in federal prison and a fine of up to $1 million. The other charges each carry amaximumpenalty of 20 years in prison.
After an undercover operation that began March 1, according to court records, Massena was arrested April 21 on heroin distribution allegations. Hewas indicted Thursday on the additional charges, including the drug-related fatality.
Fentanyl, a synthetic opioid similar to heroin, is a heavy-duty painkiller that triggers a sense of ultra-relaxed euphoria.
The Florida Medical Examiners Commission reported 538 deaths statewide in 2014 where fentanyl was detected in the dead person’s system, including 397 deaths where the drug was considered “a cause of death,” according to JimHall, an epidemiologist at the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities at Nova Southeastern University. He noted a115 percent increase in deaths where the drug was considered a cause of death in2014over the prior year.
Palm Beach County’s 87 fentanyl-related deaths in 2014 were the highest in the state, followed by Orlando and Sarasota. Borward County was fourth, with 53 deaths.
Massena was released from state prison in August after serving time for fleeing a law enforcement officer in Palm Beach County, records show.
Investigators saidMassena provided fentanyl to a 23-year-old man, identified only by his initials, on Feb. 18 who died of “acute fentanyl toxicity shortly after ingesting the substance.”
Massena is represented by the Federal Public Defender’s Office, which has a policy of not commenting on pending cases.
Staff writer TonyaAlanez contributed to this report.