A jury in St. Louis has convicted Deontae’ Tre’Von Overall, a 28-year-old from Belleville, Illinois, of distributing fentanyl resulting in death. The verdict was reached Wednesday evening in U.S. District Court.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on December 3, 2022, the victim contacted Overall seeking Percocet, a prescription pain pill. The victim purchased three counterfeit pills from Overall at his home in St. Louis and died later that evening due to fentanyl intoxication.
The incident prompted an investigation by the St. Louis County Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Investigators arranged further purchases of counterfeit Percocet from Overall using his cellular phone. On July 19, 2023, Overall sold fentanyl to an undercover task force officer and again on July 26 when he sold both fentanyl and methamphetamine. A court-approved search of Overall’s Belleville residence on August 3 resulted in the seizure of drug paraphernalia and approximately 60 pills similar to those sold to the victim and undercover officer.
On September 6, just before the trial commenced, Overall admitted to selling drugs to an undercover officer on July 26 and pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly distributing controlled substances.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey commented on the case: “This case involves a young adult who was lied to by a drug dealer and his life is now tragically over.” He added that DEA tests show seven out of ten pills contain lethal doses of fentanyl and warned against taking non-prescription pills: “Don’t be a statistic – one pill can kill.”
The charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death carries a potential sentence of 20 years to life imprisonment, a fine up to $1 million, or both. The charge for distribution of controlled substances can result in up to 20 years imprisonment, a similar fine, or both.
The investigation was conducted by the St. Louis County Police Department and DEA with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa Epplin and Jerome McDonald prosecuting the case.
