A Los Angeles County man was sentenced Monday to 25 years in federal prison for selling “purported black tar heroin that was actually fentanyl,” ultimately leading to the fatal overdose of an 18-year-old boy. Authorities announced that he was sentenced to a year in prison.
Gregory Heavener, 47, of Hawaiian Gardens, was convicted in June of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute heroin, according to the Department of Justice.
The Justice Department said an investigation revealed that the 18-year-old, whose name has not been released, responded to an ad Hevener posted on the website OfferUp in November 2020.
The Long Beach-based property had a message posted that read, “Black Tar Roofing!!” – The Department of Justice says this is the coded language for black tar heroin.
“OfferUp records reveal that Mr. Hebner operated or accessed multiple accounts on the platform to promote and distribute drugs, including heroin and fentanyl,” the Justice Department said in a release. Ta.
The 18-year-old purchased what he believed to be heroin from Hevener during a meeting at Hawaiian Gardens.
But instead, Hebener gave the boy a black, tar-like substance containing fentanyl and the painkiller tramadol, officials said.
The 18-year-old boy took the drug while driving home and died of an overdose.
According to the Justice Department, in July and October 2021, local authorities and Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched trash cans outside Hevener’s home in Hawaiian Gardens, finding discarded plastic bags and residue of fentanyl and tramadol. A piece of burnt tin containing objects was reportedly seized.
In December of that year, authorities conducted another search and found a plastic bag containing approximately 245 grams of black tar heroin, a digital scale, burnt aluminum foil, and a plastic bag containing approximately 1.2 grams of fentanyl.
Prior to Monday’s sentencing, the Justice Department said Hevener had been in federal custody since February 2022.
The Department of Justice announced that Hebener was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $45,100 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada said, “No amount of prison time can ever replace what the victim’s family has lost, but today’s sentence brings closure to the victim’s loved ones and protects the community from further harm.” I hope so.” “Victim advocacy is at the core of my office’s work. We will continue to lead the nation in holding powerful synthetic drug traffickers accountable, especially when they cause death or physical harm. I’m going.”
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