Greenbelt, Maryland – On Thursday, June, 29, 2017, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sentenced Justin Larson, age 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, to life in prison, for distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death, as well as conspiracy to distribute narcotics, five counts of possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue with intent to distribute, and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. Larson was convicted by a federal jury on January 25, 2017. The jury was not able to reach a verdict on the second count of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, resulting in death.
The sentence was announced by Acting United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Stephen M. Schenning; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Chief J. Thomas Manger of the Montgomery County Police Department; and Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
According to the testimony at his three-week trial, from May 2014 through March 17, 2016, Larson conspired to distribute acetyl fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl, a controlled substance analog. The evidence showed that on May 9, 2014, Larson distributed acetyl fentanyl to an individual, resulting in the death of that individual.
Larson remains detained.
Acting United States Attorney Stephen M. Schenning praised HSI Baltimore, the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Montgomery County Police Department, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Schenning thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Erin Pulice, who are prosecuting the case.