Alleged Drug Dealer Facing Federal Charges Following Fentanyl Death

Salt Lake City, Utah – A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City returned an indictment charging a Weber County man for allegedly possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute, which led to another person’s death by drug intoxication.

According to court documents, in February 2023, Spencer Massengale, 31, of Ogden, Utah, knowingly possessed with the intent to distribute Fentanyl in the District of Utah, which resulted in death. According to the allegations, the victim was found unresponsive on the couch at Mr. Massengale’s residence by Massengale’s roommate. Upon Massengale’s return home, neither he nor the roommate called 911 until Massengale ensured his fentanyl had been hidden. After obtaining a search warrant for Mr. Massengale’s residence, police discovered approximately 330 pills containing fentanyl. Additionally, evidence obtained from Massengale’s cell phone shows the victim one week prior suffering from the effects of a near-fatal overdose.

Massengale is charged with possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute resulting in death. He was arraigned on the indictment before a U.S. Magistrate Judge on July 14, 2023. His detention hearing is scheduled for July 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. in courtroom 8.4 at the Orrin G. Hatch United States District Courthouse in downtown Salt Lake City.

U.S. Attorney, Trina A. Higgins, of the District of Utah made the announcement.

The case is being investigated by the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys.

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