Fentanyl Dealer Implicated in Two Fatal ODs Sentenced to 22+ Years in Prison

A fentanyl dealer who admitted he was involved in at least three overdoses, two of them fatal, was sentenced Thursday to nearly 23 years in federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton. 

Rhett Barclay, 23, was indicted in September 2023 and pleaded guilty in February to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl. He was sentenced Thursday to 275 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman. 

“This defendant is implicated in multiple deaths, including the tragic demise of his unborn child,” said U.S Attorney Leigha Simonton. “Those who traffic in fentanyl should know that the poison they peddle can take the lives of anyone who ingests it – even their nearest and dearest. Once again, this case proves that even half of one pill can kill.”

“Overdose deaths from fentanyl continue to have a devastating impact on communities across North Texas,” said DEA Fort Worth Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez.  “We are directing all our available resources to investigate those who distribute this deadly, illicit poison to our friends and family.  Mr. Barclay, while responsible for the deaths of these individuals, also impacted countless others by his callous disregard for life.  May others see this as a warning that DEA Fort Worth and our law enforcement partners across North Texas will continue to investigate drug distributors and seek significant jail sentences for their criminal activity.”

In plea papers, Mr. Barclay admitted that the fentanyl he obtained led to two fatal overdoses in less than two years. 

On Jan. 24, 2021, Mr. Barclay distributed a single fentanyl pill to two women, identified in court documents as A.R. and T.M. The women split the pill. Both overdosed. Medics were able to resuscitate T.M., but A.R.'s overdose was fatal. 

Less than two years later, on Jan. 12, 2023, Mr. Barclay obtained approximately 40 fentanyl pills. His girlfriend, identified in court documents as K.H., ingested one of the pills and suffered a fatal overdose. 

At Thursday's sentencing hearing, prosecutors noted that K.H. was pregnant at the time. She passed away as their toddler watched. 

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency conducted the investigation with the help of the Wise County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura Montes prosecuted the case. 

Illicitly produced fentanyl pills – often referred to as “M-30s” because of their resemblance to legitimate prescription pills like Oxycontin or Percocet – are highly dangerous. According to the DEA, six out of ten pills laced with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. One pill can kill. For resources, visit https://www.dea.gov/onepill.