Long Island Drug Dealer Pleads Guilty To Manslaughter

A 30-year-old Ronkonkoma man pleaded guilty manslaughter and drug charges Thursday, the first time in Suffolk County history that a person has been convicted of manslaughter for selling drugs that resulted in a fatal overdose.

James Fava sold fentanyl, which is 50 times stronger than heroin, to 27-year-old Bryan Gallagher, of Oakdale, on July 17, 2016. A day later, Gallagher was found dead in his home with a needle and spoon next to his body, prosecutors said.

An investigation found text messages and other communications between Fava and Gallagher that revealed that Gallager had purchased what he believed to be heroin from Fava numerous times between the end of June and the day he was found dead.

Fava had told Gallagher that he didn't think "he'd be able to handle the potency of the drugs," referring to fentanyl, but sold them to him anyway, former Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota said last year.

Fava sold narcotics to Gallagher and others out of home on Wildwood Road in Ronkonkoma where he lived with his parents.

State Supreme Court Justice William Condon will sentence Fava to two to six years in prison on Jan. 11, the DA's office said.

Speaking in court before the Fava's guilty plea, Gallagher’s father and sister said the family was in favor of Fava being sentenced to prison to send a message to others who deal drugs that they will be held accountable for their actions, particularly when their crimes result in death.

The Gallagher family is in the process of establishing a foundation in Bryan Gallagher's name.

SCDA photo