Photo: MoleQL / iStock / Getty Images
Two Harrisonburg residents have each received lengthy federal prison sentences for their roles in supplying counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that led to the death of an 18-year-old in northern Virginia.
Court records show that in January 2023, Cayden Foster, a high school student from Centreville, contacted Liam Conaway, then 24, seeking to buy pills. The two had previously used drugs together while Conaway was home from James Madison University.
On January 27, Foster sent Conaway $105 via Venmo. Conaway then obtained approximately ten pills from his supplier, Bessy Jimenez Mejia, age 27. The pills were made to resemble 30-milligram Percocet tablets but were later confirmed to be counterfeit and contained fentanyl.
Two days later, three of those pills were delivered to Foster by a friend. On January 30, Foster consumed part of one pill. He died that night from fentanyl poisoning and was found unresponsive the following morning when first responders arrived at his home.
Jimenez Mejia was sentenced to 180 months (15 years) in federal prison, while Conaway received a 240-month (20-year) sentence.
Acting U.S. Attorney Robert N. Tracci emphasized the dangers of fentanyl, noting that even a single pill can be fatal and that prosecutors will continue pursuing accountability for those involved in trafficking the drug.
SOURCE: WHSV3