Three people are going to prison and a fourth person will serve home detention after a fatal overdose took the life of a Longmont resident.
The victim died in March 2013, authorities said. That led to the January 2015 arrests of 14 people. Four on federal charges and ten on state charges.
The four indicted by a federal grand jury for their roles in the distribution of heroin have pleaded guilty and been sentenced, authorities announced Thursday.
"In their respective plea agreements, all four admitted their roles in the distribution of the heroin which resulted in that fatality," the Department of Justice said.
Lead defendant Brice Alday was sentenced to 120 months (10 years) in federal prison for Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin. Danielle Sciortino was sentenced to serve 60 months (5 years) in federal prison for conspiracy to distribute heroin, the use of which resulted in death. Jesse Hervey was sentenced to serve 36 months (3 years) in federal prison for that same charge. Jacquelynn Bradley was sentenced to serve 5 years’ probation, with the first 8 months in home detention for her role in the conspiracy to distribute heroin.
“Heroin is a deadly drug that is killing young people across all segments of our society,” said U.S. Attorney John Walsh. “This heroin trafficking network sold a dangerous drug that resulted in the death of an individual. Because of their conduct, they will be held criminally accountable. And a word to other heroin dealers – you’re next.”
"The distribution of heroin is a serious matter because in addition to the victim in this case, the drug is killing thousands of people across the country. In fact, heroin abuse is now a full-fledged epidemic in the United States. That's why we will continue to work closely with the United States Attorney's Office to investigate and prosecute heroin traffickers like the defendants in this case," said Denver FBI Special Agent in Charge Thomas Ravenelle.
A team at ABC's 20/20 has spent two years examining the growing heroin epidemic in America. Their special report will be reported by anchor David Muir on Friday, March 11.
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