Camp Verde Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Distributing Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Resulting in Death

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Robert Don Schield, 40, of Camp Verde, was sentenced on Wednesday by United States District Judge Dominic W. Lanza to 120 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Schield pleaded guilty to the Distribution of Methamphetamine and Fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death on May 17, 2024.

In February 2022, Schield sold the victim six fentanyl pills and 10 grams of methamphetamine. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office responded to the victim’s home the next morning, after her friend discovered her unresponsive and not breathing. The medical examiner found the victim’s cause of death to be from methamphetamine and fentanyl intoxication. Schield was arrested in March 2022, after selling an ounce of methamphetamine and 10 fentanyl pills to another customer for $300. 

“We cannot let those who introduce poison into Arizona’s communities walk about with impunity,” said United States Attorney Gary Restaino.  “One pill can kill, and therefore one small drug transaction can lead to long time in prison.  Many thanks to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office and the Flagstaff agents of the DEA for their compassion and diligence in this investigation.”

“This defendant's actions caused a tragic death,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Cheri Oz. “DEA will not stop working with our law enforcement partners to protect our communities and hold those responsible who distribute deadly and dangerous drugs.”

“We’d like thank the DEA and the other organizations that worked so thoroughly with us on this case,” said Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes. “We would also like to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for making sure that deaths that result from these insidious narcotics will not go unpunished.”

The Arizona Department of Health Services reports that so far in 2024, there have been 665 confirmed opioid deaths (https://www.azdhs.gov/opioid/dashboards/index.php#overdose-deaths) and 4,781 emergency and inpatient visits involving suspected opioid overdose in Arizona (https://www.azdhs.gov/opioid/dashboards/index.php#emergency-inpatient-visits).

The Drug Enforcement Administration- Flagstaff POD, and Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office conducted the investigation in this case. The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, handled the prosecution.
 

CASE NUMBER:           CR-22-8037-PCT-DWL
RELEASE NUMBER:    2024-113_Schield

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/
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