2 Overdose Deaths Tied to Gaithersburg Man: Court

GAITHERSBURG, MD — A federal grand jury on Wednesday indicted Justin Larson, 30, of Gaithersburg for selling an opiate that resulted in two deaths.=

Larson, who was originally indicted in March, now faces five counts of possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue with intent to distribute; and one count of possession and distribution of a controlled substance, according to the U.S. Attorney's office for Maryland. The new indictment includes the charges from the original indictment of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death, and conspiracy to distribute narcotics.

Acetyl fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the past year authorities say it has been mixed with heroin and other illicit opioids, which has led to increased drug overdoses and deaths.

According to the latest nine-count indictment, from May 2014 through March 17, 2016, Larson was part of a conspiracy to distribute acetyl fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl, a controlled substance. The new indictment alleges that on May 9, 2014, and October 14, 2015, Larson distributed acetyl fentanyl to individuals, resulting in the death of those individuals.

Larson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison for each of the two counts of distribution of acetyl fentanyl with death resulting; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the six possession and distribution counts, and for the narcotics conspiracy.

Larson is scheduled to appear in court again on Aug. 9. He remains in custody.