Vernon Antwan Martin, a 37-year-old resident of Columbia, South Carolina, has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison after being convicted of distributing fentanyl that led to the death of a University of South Carolina student.
In May 2023, Columbia Police officers conducted a welfare check at an apartment after family and friends were unable to reach the victim. The woman was found deceased, and an autopsy later confirmed her cause of death as a fentanyl overdose. Investigators determined that on May 30, 2023, Martin provided the victim with a counterfeit pill she believed to be Percocet. The pill actually contained fentanyl.
Following the incident, Drug Enforcement Administration agents searched Martin’s residence and discovered additional narcotics, a firearm, and about $30,000 in cash.
“There is always danger in taking prescription pills that are not prescribed to you by a legitimate health care provider. This case demonstrates how deadly a small amount of fentanyl can be,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “This case is the result of law enforcement coordination at the local and federal level, and we’ll continue to aggressively prosecute those who bring fentanyl into our community. Our hearts are with this young woman’s family and loved ones as they remember a life cut short.”
“This case is a tragic example of the deadly consequences of counterfeit pills,” said Jae W. Chung, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Field Division. “The victim thought they were purchasing Percocet, but they were handed fentanyl, a synthetic opioid driving overdose deaths across our nation. The defendant knew exactly what he was selling. As the DEA continues its Fentanyl-Free America campaign, today’s sentencing underscores our mission to protect communities and aggressively pursue those who knowingly distribute lethal substances.”
“Our officers worked closely with federal partners to investigate this case and ensure the individual responsible was held accountable,” said Columbia Police Chief W. H. “Skip” Holbrook. “We urge the public to understand the serious risk of taking pills that are not prescribed by a legitimate medical provider – just one can kill.”
United States District Judge Mary Geiger Lewis imposed a sentence of 240 months imprisonment for Martin with no possibility for parole under federal law; this will be followed by three years of court-ordered supervision upon release from prison. In addition to incarceration, Judge Lewis ordered restitution payments totaling approximately $19,000 to be made to the victim’s family.
The investigation was carried out by both the Drug Enforcement Administration and City of Columbia Police Department; prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elle E. Klein and Ariyana Gore.
For more information on efforts against fentanyl distribution or resources for help regarding opioids or counterfeit drugs, visit DEA.gov/FentanylFree.
