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Why You May Get Drug Charges AND Homicide Charges
2019 was a record year for fatal drug overdoses in Milwaukee County, totaling 514 deaths. From 2017 to 2019, fentanyl deaths in the county increased 29% while heroin deaths declined 21%.
Fentanyl overdoses are increasingly common nationwide, and as a result, prosecutors are holding suspects accountable for it. Not only could a person get drug crime charges but also homicide accusations. This happened to a 67-year-old Madison man in December 2020, who reportedly sold fentanyl-laced heroin to another man, who then sold it to a woman, who eventually died from an overdose. As a result, the elderly man was charged with first-degree reckless homicide.
This could very well happen to you.
Prosecutors in California, Colorado, and Florida are also filing additional charges against suspected drug criminals. In California, 4 men were recently charged with murder because they sold fentanyl to drug users despite knowing it is deadly. As such, Wisconsin prosecutors may begin following this rising trend in drug cases.
Considering the alarming rise in fentanyl use and overdoses nationwide, it comes as no surprise that authorities are trying to do something about it. To put the seriousness of the matter into perspective, see the facts of fentanyl below:
- Fentanyl is 50 times stronger than heroin and 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine
- It is known as the “one and done” drug because one-time use could lead to death
- About 2 milligrams of the lethal drug could be fatal; one teaspoon of fentanyl contains about 5,000 milligrams
- Fentanyl has killed more than 36,000 people in 2019 alone
- It is typically produced in China and transported through Mexico
As you can see, fentanyl is no joke. Prosecutors throughout the country are cracking down on drug cases involving fentanyl as a result, pressing homicide charges in addition to drug sale and distribution charges.
Remember, you do not have to be directly connected to a fentanyl overdose to be held accountable for it. Looking at the example above, the 67-year-old man sold the drug to one man, who then sold it to a woman, who ended up overdosing. Although he didn’t sell the drugs to the woman, the man was still perceived as the culprit.
With this in mind, if you are facing drug charges in Milwaukee, you should get a lawyer right away. If your alleged actions resulted in an overdose or other-related death, there’s a good chance you could get accused of homicide as well. To minimize the odds of this happening to you, retain our criminal defense attorney today. As a former prosecutor, Attorney Cherella has the knowledge and experience your case depends on.
Schedule a free consultation online or at (414) 882-8382!