Kalamazoo Man Convicted Of Fentanyl Trafficking, Distribution Of Fentanyl Causing Death

<_w3a_listitem listvalue="Choose an item."><_w3a_listitem listvalue="GRAND RAPIDS" datavalue="GRAND RAPIDS"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="KALAMAZOO" datavalue="KALAMAZOO"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="MARQUETTE" datavalue="MARQUETTE"><_w3a_listitem listvalue="LANSING" datavalue="LANSING">GRAND RAPIDS - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that a federal jury convicted Antjuan Pierre Jackson, 39, of Kalamazoo, of distribution of fentanyl causing death and possession of 40 grams or more of fentanyl with intent to distribute. The Court will sentence Jackson on February 27, 2024.

"Illicit street drugs claim more lives across Michigan and the United States than ever before," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "Only a speck of fentanyl can kill. And because drug suppliers are mixing fentanyl into almost every illicit drug, users may not even realize they're taking a lethal dose of fentanyl that will leave them dead in minutes. My office is committed to disrupting the pipelines that distribute these poisons in our communities."

The evidence at trial demonstrated that, on November 23, 2022, Jackson sold fentanyl, a synthetic opioid up to 100 times more potent than heroin, to the victim. That fentanyl caused the victim to die from an overdose. Less than three weeks later, in December 2022, investigators found Jackson with more than 80 grams of fentanyl in his home, as well as all the hallmarks of drug trafficking, including cash, a digital scale, a cell phone, and packaging materials.

The Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigated the case with additional assistance provided by the Michigan State Police (MSP). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Carowan and Timothy Verhey represented the United States at trial.