Long Island Man Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Conspiring to Distribute Fentanyl That Contributed to Two Poisoning Deaths

Earlier today, in federal court in Central Islip, Charles Carter, also known as “Chase,” was sentenced by United States District Judge Gary R. Brown to 20 years in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl that contributed to two poisoning deaths.  In November 2023, Carter pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl.  As part of his plea, Carter admitted that fentanyl that he sold contributed to the deaths of two victims in 2020 and 2021 respectively.  Carter also admitted that in 2021, he sold more than 43 grams of fentanyl to an undercover Glen Cove Police Department (GCPD) officer (UC-1).  As part of the sentence, the defendant was ordered by the Court to pay restitution in the amount of $29,416.50 to cover the victims’ funeral expenses.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent-in-Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration, New York Division (DEA), Patrick J. Ryder, Commissioner of the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), and William Whitton, Chief of Police, GCPD, announced the guilty plea.

“Carter, who openly acknowledged his drug dealing was all ‘about the money,’ is held responsible today for callously selling fentanyl that contributed to the deaths of two victims on Long Island.  Fentanyl is a lethal drug that is killing so many people across this nation every day,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office is working nonstop with our federal and local partners to address the fentanyl crisis and prosecute those who push the deadly poison for profit.”

“While this guilty plea can't undo the tragic loss of life, it sends a message that we will do everything we can to make sure those responsible for drug related deaths face the consequences for their actions and the families of those lost receive justice. The men and women of DEA New York Division, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to target those responsible for poisoning and destroying our communities” stated DEA New York Division Special Agent-in-Charge Tarentino.

“The sentencing of defendant Charles Carter to 20 years in prison for conspiring to distribute fentanyl is a clear example that this behavior will never be tolerated. Two victims lost their lives and their families are suffering due to this poison being accessible.  We need to set an example and continue to investigate and arrest these offenders to keep our communities and residents safe. I would like to thank all of the investigators and their agencies for a job well done,” stated NCPD Commissioner Ryder.

“The Glen Cove Police Department will continue to work with federal, state and local law enforcement to prevent the distribution of illegal substances into our community. Those who decide to profit by selling their poison, will be identified, arrested and prosecuted,” stated GCPD Chief of Police Whitton.

Between August 2020 and February 2021, Carter sold more than 40 grams of fentanyl to two overdose poisoning victims and an undercover GCPD detective.   The investigation revealed that on August 6, 2020, a 23-year-old individual (Victim-1) died of a drug-related overdose at her residence in Glen Cove, Long Island.  Cellular telephone analysis and additional investigation showed that the fentanyl that Victim-1 used was purchased from Carter about two days before Victim-1’s death.  On February 5, 2021, a 40-year-old individual (Victim-2) died of a drug-related poisoning at his residence in Farmingdale, Long Island.  A search of Victim-2’s phone revealed text messages between Carter and Victim-2 which related to Victim-2’s purchase of fentanyl shortly before, and in the months preceding, Victim-2’s death.  For example, on January 21, 2021, Carter wrote text messages to Victim-2, stating “im.(sic) around and I got the good stuff[.] Do u (sic) need to see me..??” 

Additionally, Carter repeatedly sold fentanyl to the UC-1 in doses that could have been lethal if consumed, including approximately 43 grams of fentanyl in January 2021.  For example, on October 23, 2020, Carter sent text messages to UC-1, stating “Next time imma (sic) give you some super fire cuz (sic) I’m getting some new sh-- in a couple days so let your people know . . . . I ain’t going to lie I’m going to have some way stronger sh-- in the next couple days then I might have to cut it might be that strong seriously.”  On January 13, 2021, in response to a text message from UC-1 describing how much money UC-1 could make from reselling Carter’s drugs, Carter wrote “I’m about the money.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Justice, in 2023, nearly 108,000 people died from drug overdoses, making it a leading cause of injury-related death in the United States.  The increase in overdose deaths has been driven in large part by fentanyl, a drug that has been described as 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine.   In 2023, over 74,000 people died from a drug overdose involving synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, a figure that was around 2,000 less than the more than 76,000 synthetic opioid overdose deaths that occurred in 2022.  Between 2022 and 2023, overall drug overdose deaths decline approximately 3% from around nearly 111,000 such deaths in 2022.

The government’s case is being handled by the Criminal Section of the Office’s Long Island Division.  Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley T. King and Madeline O’Connor are in charge of the prosecution, with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Samantha Schroder and Legal Assistants Janelle Robinson and Danielle Casey. 

The Defendant:

CHARLES CARTER (also known as “Chase”)
Age: 34
Amityville, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 21-CR-88 (S-1) (GRB)