Greenbelt, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Justin Larson, age 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death; 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. The jury was not able to reach a verdict on a second count of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, resulting in death.
The conviction was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Andre R. Watson of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI); 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 analogue. The evidence showed that on May 9, 2014, Larson distributed acetyl fentanyl to an individual, resulting in the death of that individual.
Larson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison for distribution of acetyl fentanyl with death resulting; a maximum of 30 years in prison for the narcotics conspiracy; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the six possession and distribution counts, and. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2017, at 1:30 p.m. Larson remains detained.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised HSI Baltimore, the Montgomery County Police Department, and Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office for their work in the investigation and prosecution. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant United States Attorneys Kelly O’Connell Hayes and Erin Pulice, who are prosecuting the case.