Lorain Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Distributing Fentanyl that Led to Overdose Death

• January 12, 2023

CLEVELAND – Kevin L. Walker Jr., 31, of Lorain, was sentenced on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, to 15 years in prison by U.S. District Judge Christopher A. Boyko after he pleaded guilty to possession of drugs and distribution of fentanyl that led to an overdose death.

“As this sentence demonstrates, our communities will not tolerate drug traffickers and fentanyl dealers who kill or harm our neighbors, friends, and family with their deadly product,” said First Assistant U.S. Attorney Michelle M. Baeppler. “Thanks to the collaborative work of law enforcement, another fentanyl pusher will now spend a significant time behind bars for his actions.”

“Fentanyl continues to flood our nation at an alarming rate, and the citizens of Northern Ohio are not immune from its devastation,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Gregory Nelsen. “This case reflects our commitment to address not only fentanyl, but also the assortment of narcotics making their way into our communities. We will continue to work closely with our federal, state, and local partners to identify drug traffickers and their networks fueling the epidemic.”

According to court documents, Walker was arrested in July 2021 by law enforcement authorities following a warrant issued for corrupting another with drugs. Authorities then searched Walker, a vehicle, and a room he rented and found that Walker was in possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and crack cocaine.

Officers then began an investigation into Walker’s drug trafficking activities and learned that on July 28, 2021, Walker intentionally distributed a substance containing fentanyl to a victim who later ingested it, suffered an overdose, and died.

This case was investigated as part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.)., a joint law enforcement initiative that seeks to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids and to identify wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers in Lorain County.

This case was investigated by the Lorain Police Department, Westlake Police Department, and the Cleveland Division of the FBI. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Robert F. Corts and Robert J. Kolansky.

Contact

Daniel Ball
Daniel.Ball@usdoj.gov

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