Fatal Overdose Sends Cleveland Man To Prison

CLEVELAND — Terry Lee Christian was sentenced to 15 years in prison for selling narcotics that led to a fatal overdose in downtown Cleveland. Christian sold a mixture of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl, according to the Department of Justice.

In July 2018, a man overdosed and died in a hotel in downtown Cleveland. Investigators discovered the man overdosed on cocaine laced with heroin and fentanyl. Police tracked the narcotics to Christian, prosecutors said.

The narcotics at the hotel were tested by police. The packaging material was also tested and DNA found on the package matched Christian's DNA. Investigators then searched through the victim's phone and found evidence they had met with Christian.

Prosecutors said the person who overdosed agreed to buy cocaine for $200. They did not know the cocaine was mixed with fentanyl and heroin, according to court documents. Residue from the drugs were found around the hotel.

Christian was taken into custody by Cleveland police and the DEA and later pleaded guilty to selling the fatal mixture.