Two Des Moines Men Sentenced to Federal Prison for Fentanyl Overdose Death

DES MOINES, IOWA – Michael Allen James, age 39, of Des Moines, was sentenced to 240 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance which resulted in death on Friday, November 18, 2022. On August 5, 2022, Gregory Michael Williams, age 38, was sentenced to 168 months in prison for distributing a controlled substance which resulted in death. Both men were sentenced by Chief United States District Court Judge Stephanie Rose after pleading guilty.

On November 8, 2020, Williams purchased two Oxycodone pills from James. Williams then distributed the pills to C.C.. Later, C.C. and his fiancée, K.F., ingested the pills, and both overdosed. C.C. was revived on scene and survived. K.F. was brought to the hospital and later pronounced dead. The Oxycodone pills were counterfeit and contained fentanyl.

Investigators with the Des Moines Police Department Vice-Narcotics Unit reviewed phone records and conducted interviews, including of the victims’ friends and family, which led officers to identify Williams and James. In November 2020, Williams was arrested in possession of a firearm after he held his children at gunpoint. In December 2020, officers executed a search warrant at James’ house and located marijuana, cash, and 100 rounds of ammunition. James was prohibited for possessing ammunition because he is a felon.

U.S. Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement. The investigation was conducted by the Des Moines Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mallory E. Weiser, with assistance from Victim Witness Specialist Charlotte Kovacs.