Colorado Springs, Colo. – Two suspects were arrested in connection with a fentanyl overdose death investigation that began in 2022. Hailee Helton and Thomas Galiano III were taken into custody in Colorado Springs on Thursday.
The investigation, which was initiated in August 2022, was related to multiple fentanyl overdose deaths in El Paso County. Helton and Galiano were also identified as suspects in another overdose in Pueblo County. Due to the complexity of the case, federal arrest warrants for the unlawful distribution of fentanyl resulting in death were issued for the pair in both El Paso and Pueblo counties in August 2023.
Officials stated that Helton and Galiano managed to elude law enforcement and were featured in Pikes Peaks Most Wanted. However, on Thursday, detectives obtained information that led to the whereabouts of the suspects. When officers contacted the residence on South 18th Street where the suspects were located, the pair fled on foot. Multiple units of officers were involved in the pursuit, and the suspects were eventually apprehended after a brief foot chase.
As of the latest update, both Helton and Galiano were booked into the El Paso County jail. Helton’s information was not available in jail records at that time, while Galiano was being held on no bond.
The arrests mark a significant development in the investigation into the fentanyl overdose deaths, and law enforcement officials continue to emphasize the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of holding those responsible for its distribution and lethal consequences accountable. The case serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat the opioid crisis and the collaborative work of law enforcement agencies at the local, state, and federal levels to address the widespread impact of fentanyl in communities across the country.