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Allen, a Texas man was sentenced to 30 years for a fentanyl overdose death
During his trial, the jury was told by Allen police that the 30-year-old had previously been arrested three times in 2022, all in fentanyl-related cases.
COLLIN COUNTY, Texas – A 30-year-old Allen man accused of being connected to a fentanyl overdose death was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison, officials said.
A Collin County jury found Denzel Johnson guilty of Possession with intent to deliver more than 4 grams but less than 200 grams of fentanyl, prosecutors announced.
The Collin County District Attorney's Office said Johnson was stopped by McKinney police on Dec. 11, 2022, pulling out of a gas station parking lot.
Officers found Johnson under the influence of a substance and while speaking with him saw a gun on the driver's side floor. When they searched the vehicle, they found an envelope containing 60 blue pills, officials said. Forensic testing later revealed the pills contained fentanyl and were manufactured to look like Percocet pills. prosecutors said in a press release.
In addition to the fentanyl and the firearm, officers also found $7,000 in cash on Johnson.
After finding Johnson guilty of the drug charge, during his sentencing phase, the jury heard testimony from the Allen Police Department, who said they had arrested Johnson three times in 2022 for fentanyl-related offenses. Johnson posted bond after being arrested each time, Allen police said.
One of the three arrests was an October 2022 charge in which drugs Johnson sold were linked by investigators to the death of a 27-year-old man, Allen police said. The jury heard that Johnson continued to possess significant amounts of fentanyl with the intent to sell it until his arrest in December, according to Collin County prosecutors.
The jury also saw evidence from Johnson's phone, dating back more than a year, detailing that he sold fentanyl to several other people in North Texas.
Johnson was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison by the jury.
“Fentanyl dealers are causing death,” Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said after the sentencing. “Johnson did this in October 2022, and despite the consequences, he didn't stop. Thankfully, law enforcement stepped in and likely saved another life by arresting him again in December. My office will continue to seek tougher sentences jail time for anyone who sells fentanyl.”
