In Austin today, 27-year-old Austin resident Sylvester Orlowski was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison for his role in two deaths resulting from a fentanyl overdose in May of this year announced United States Attorney Richard L. Durbin, Jr., and Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo.
In addition to the prison term, United States District Judge Lee Yeakel ordered that Orlowski pay restitutions to the families of both victims to cover funeral expenses; and, be placed on supervised release for a period of five years after completing his prison term.
On August 10, 2016, Orlowski pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl causing death. By pleading guilty, Orlowski admitted that in May 2016, he sold Fentanyl in powder form to Zane Paduano. Paduano and Clayton Wimberley, subsequently overdosed after ingesting that Fentanyl. Fentanyl, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, is a narcotic analgesic used for pain control and anesthesia. In large or concentrated doses it suppresses the respiratory system and causes death.
On September 1, 2016, Orlowski’s Fentanyl source and co-defendant, 29–year-old Austin resident Albert C. Picazo, III, pleaded guilty to the same charge and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for 9:00am on November 17, 2016, before Judge Yeakel. Picazo, who has remained in custody since both defendants were arrested on May 18, 2016, faces up to life in federal prison.
This case was investigated by the Organized Crime Unit of the Austin Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Marshall is prosecuting this case on behalf of the Government.