Latest news with #PatrickDonaldMartin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 Michigan men sentenced for selling fentanyl that killed at least 7
The Brief Two men are going to prison for selling drugs that killed at least seven people in Kalamazoo. Authorities said the men believed they were selling cocaine, but it was really a substance containing fentanyl. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (FOX 2) - Two Michigan men who sold drugs that led to at least seven overdose deaths and multiple non-fatal overdoses in 2023 learned their sentences this week. James Smith, 42, of Kalamazoo, received a 20-year prison sentence for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, while Patrick Donald Martin, 27, also of Kalamazoo, was sentenced to four years for use of a communication facility to commit conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. The backstory The criminal cases against the men began on April 12-13, 2023, when authorities responded to numerous overdoses in the Kalamazoo area. Some of these overdoses were fatal, while others hospitalized people. "April 13, 2023, was a sad day in Kalamazoo County," said Captain Mike Ferguson, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team/Crime Reduction Team. "We extend our condolences to the families who were deeply affected by this tragedy. Hopefully, these sentences will allow some closure to those involved. Additionally, this should send a message to drug dealers who continue to peddle deadly drugs in our community." Investigators traced the substance the victims had ingested to Martin and then to Smith. According to federal authorities, the men thought they were selling cocaine, but it was really a substance containing the highly-lethal fentanyl. "The distribution of fentanyl continues to take lives and destroy our communities and families," said Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Byerly Birge. Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Jarbou noted that drug dealing is inherently dangerous because so many drugs on the streets have fentanyl in them. Dig deeper If you or someone you love is suffering from substance use disorder, there are resources available: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, Cope Network (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties), 269-580-8290, The Grand Rapid Red Project (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Kent and Muskegon Counties), 616-456-9063 (Kent County), 231-563-6865 (Muskegon County), The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a webpage that identifies county-by-county services. The Source This information is from the Department of Justice.
CBS News
4 days ago
- Health
- CBS News
Federal prison sentences handed down over rash of fentanyl poisonings in Southwest Michigan
Two Michigan men were sentenced to federal prison in the aftermath of fentanyl-related drug poisonings that resulted in at least seven deaths during spring 2023. James Smith, 42, of Kalamazoo County, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, according to the press release issued Thursday by Andrew Byerly Birge, acting U.S. attorney for the Western District of Michigan. In addition, Patrick Donald Martin, 27, also of Kalamazoo County, was sentenced to four years in prison for use of a communication facility to commit conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death. "The sentences imposed on the defendants in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes," Birge said in his statement. Law enforcement officials in the Kalamazoo area responded to numerous drug poisoning calls on April 12 and April 13, 2023, that resulted in multiple hospital admissions and seven confirmed fatalities. "April 13, 2023, was a sad day in Kalamazoo County," said Captain Mike Ferguson, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team/Crime Reduction Team. "We extend our condolences to the families who were deeply affected by this tragedy. Hopefully, these sentences will allow some closure to those involved." Investigators traced back the source of the substance, which some people thought was cocaine but was instead a substance containing fentanyl, to Martin and then Smith, according to the press release. During sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou said drug dealing is inherently dangerous regardless of what the dealer thinks he is selling, adding that many street drugs "have fentanyl in it — it's just that prevalent." Jarbou also said appeared to be "inexplicable" that Smith continued to sell drugs after becoming aware of the numerous deaths and injuries in spring 2023. "That tells me the consequences of your actions did not deter you," the judge said before imposing the 20-year sentence on Smith. This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the Portage Department of Public Safety and the Michigan State Police.
