Ft. Lauderdale Resident Charged with Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death

A Ft. Lauderdale resident has been charged with distributing fentanyl, a controlled substance that was ingested and caused the death of another individual.

Ariana Fajardo Orshan, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Adolphus P. Wright, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Miami Field Division, and Rick Maglione, Chief, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, made the announcement.

Jean Jameson, 35, of Broward County, was indicted on one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and two counts of distribution of fentanyl (Case No. 19-60083-CR-Zloch/Hunt).  A calendar call has been set for May 10, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. in Fort Lauderdale before Senior Judge William J. Zloch.   A jury trial has been scheduled for the trial period beginning May 13, 2019.  If convicted of the narcotics distribution resulting in death charge, Jameson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison, to be followed by supervised release and a potential fine of up to $1 million dollars.  If convicted of the additional charges, Jameson faces a maximum statutory term of 20 years in prison, to be followed by supervised release and a potential fine of up to $1 million dollars.

According to the court record, on September 25, 2018, Jameson distributed fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, to A.M., an individual who died as a result of ingesting the drug.  Thereafter, on two separate occasions, Jameson distributed a controlled substances, to wit, fentanyl. 

“Men and women in our community are losing their lives to the drug trade,” stated US Attorney Fajardo Orshan.  “Fentanyl, a highly potent controlled substance, is being illegally distributed with deadly results. We implore the public to educate themselves, friends and loved ones about the dangers of drug abuse and addiction. Federal law enforcement authorities will continue to prosecute those who endanger our residents by fueling the opioid epidemic.”

“The DEA takes the distribution of any illegal drug very seriously,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Adolphus P. Wright.  “The recent spike in opioid sales, which correlates to an increased death toll, only heightens our commitment to continue in this fight.  The DEA Miami Field Division will continue to work very closely with our law enforcement partners in the Tri-County area along with the United States Attorney’s Office to fully investigate and prosecute those responsible for illicit drug trafficking activities to ensure that they are held accountable for their actions, especially when the consequences from those actions result in the tragic death of another individual.”  

Fort Lauderdale Chief of Police Rick Maglione stated, “Individuals who knowingly distribute a substance that often results in death should absolutely be held accountable for the results of their actions.  Hopefully these individuals will begin to think twice before taking advantage of people who are suffering from an addiction now that they realize the severity of the charges and potential penalties that can be associated with their crimes.”

In December of 2014, the DEA, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and the Broward County Sheriff's Office formed a partnership with the Broward Medical Examiner's Office to track both synthetic drug and heroin related overdoses.  From that, and as part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) National Heroin strategy to combat heroin/fentanyl trafficking and related overdose deaths, Operation Phantom Chase emerged.  The operation, begun in July 2017, is a multi-jurisdictional heroin/fentanyl initiative between the DEA, the U.S. Marshals Service, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Broward County Sheriff’s Office, Sunrise Police Department, Hollywood Police Department, Coral Springs Police Department and the U.S. Attorney’ Office in Broward County which operates as a data collection clearinghouse to analyze intelligence gathered from fatal and non-fatal heroin and fentanyl overdoses that occur in Broward County.  The charges being announced today result from the diligent investigative work of this successful federal-local partnership.      

An indictment is merely an allegation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

U.S. Attorney Fajardo Orshan commended the investigative efforts of the DEA and the Ft. Lauderdale police.  She also thanked the Broward Sheriff’s Office for their support during the course of this investigation.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Juman.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.