Two people sentenced in fatal fentanyl overdose of a North Texas teen: feds
Two drug dealers that supplied fentanyl pills to a Carrollton high school girl who fatally overdosed have been sentenced to federal prison, federal prosecutors said.
Lizbeth Prieto, 19, and Cristian Lopez, 24, were charged and indicted in 2023, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
Prieto pleaded guilty in November 2023 to distribution of a controlled substance to a person under 21 and was sentenced to seven years in federal prison in April.
Lopez pleaded guilty in July to conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced on Monday, Dec. 2, to eight years in federal prison.
Investigators found 10 counterfeit percocet pills in the teenagers room which later tested positive for fentanyl, the release stated. Percocet, a painkiller, is normally a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen.
According to court documents, Lopez supplied fentanyl pills to Prieto, who provided them to the victim, a 15-year-old student at Carrollton-Newman Smith High School.
Investigators said the victim’s Instagram conversation revealed that she bought 13 fentanyl pills for $100 from Prieto. After confirming she could pay with cash, Prieto arrived at the home to deliver the pills, approximately 24 hours before the death, the release stated.
“Selling poison in the form of fentanyl to our youth is one of the most treacherous and evil ways to hurt our community,” said Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Dallas Field Division. “To all of those who still continue to traffic fentanyl pills: DEA Dallas and our law enforcement partners such as Carrollton PD will find you and hold you accountable for your selfish actions.”