A federal indictment charges a 25-year-old from Congers, NY with two counts of narcotics distribution resulting in two deaths and four counts of causing serious bodily injury to four others due to fentanyl overdoses. Justin Turnick was arrested Wednesday for drug dealing in Rockland County, facing a statutory prison sentence of 20 years to life upon conviction for each count.
According to U.S. Attorney Damian Williams, Turnick distributed fentanyl in Rockland County between February 2020 and April 2022. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Rockland District Attorney’s Office and other law enforcement agencies in Rockland. Turnick’s arrest coincides with a crisis surrounding fentanyl and opioid use, with 70 overdose deaths reported in Rockland in 2021.
Williams emphasized the severity of the fentanyl crisis, stating that the drug is a leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49. He also mentioned that Turnick witnessed several overdoses on the fentanyl he distributed, including one person who overdosed twice on the narcotic. The federal indictment details Turnick’s distribution of “fenti” pills or “fake percs,” as well as pure fentanyl and fentanyl-laced powder.
DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank A. Tarentino III highlighted the potency of fentanyl, which has led the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration to rename overdoses to poisonings. Rockland District Attorney Thomas Walsh also commented on the devastating impact of fentanyl in the community, emphasizing the need to address fentanyl dealers responsible for the crisis.
The collaboration between law enforcement agencies and prosecutors led to Turnick’s arrest, with the case being prosecuted by the Office’s White Plains Division. The investigation is ongoing, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock leading the prosecution.
In conclusion, federal charges have been filed against a Congers man for distributing fentanyl, resulting in multiple overdoses and deaths, amid a crisis surrounding opioid use in Rockland County. The indictment and ongoing investigation demonstrate the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies in addressing the fentanyl crisis and holding those responsible accountable.