Former Erie Resident Admits Distributing Drugs that Resulted in an Overdose Death

ERIE, Pa. - A former resident of Erie, Pennsylvania, pleaded guilty in federal court to a charge of violating federal drug laws, Acting United States Attorney Stephen R. Kaufman announced today.

Damon Dupree Henderson, 31, pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful distribution of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of fentanyl and a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine before United States District Judge David S. Cercone.

In connection with the guilty plea, Henderson acknowledged that he sold the fentanyl and cocaine that caused the death of R.R.T. on June 15, 2017. The indictment alleged that on June 15, 2017, Henderson unlawfully distributed mixtures of drugs containing fentanyl and cocaine.

Judge Cercone scheduled sentencing for October 4, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. The law provides for a total sentence of 20 years in prison, a fine of $1,000,000, or both. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed is based upon the seriousness of the offense and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant United States Attorney Paul S. Sellers is prosecuting this case on behalf of the government.

The Erie County District Attorney’s Office County Detective Bureau, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, and the Erie Police Department, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration conducted the investigation that led to the prosecution of Henderson.