Highland Heights Man Pleads Guilty For Role In Fatal Overdose

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, OH — Alec J. Steinberger, 22, will likely serve 12 years in prison for selling fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose of a Cleveland teenager. Steinberger pleaded guilty on Tuesday the charges against him and will officially be sentenced on Oct. 31, law enforcement said.

The official slate of charges that Steinberger pleaded guilty to are: distribution of a controlled substance the resulted in death, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, attempted possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and use of a communication facility in furtherance of a drug offense.

“We continue to go after drug dealers who sell opioids that kill our children, friends and neighbors,” said David Sierleja, acting US Attorney. “Aggressive prosecution, combined with increased treatment, prevention and changes in prescribing practices are key to turning the tide on the heroin and opioid epidemic.”

The investigation into Steinberger began in early 2016. According to law enforcement, that was when he began receiving Alprazolam (aka Xanax) and furanyl fentanyl for distribution. Furanyl fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid. The drugs came to Steinberger through the mail, according to the indictment.

On Feb. 23, 2016, Steinberger then sent a text message to an associate, saying, "I just got a pack bro." He then told several people he had drugs for sale, including a man identified in the indictment only as L.H.

Steinberger sent more messages to L.H. on Feb. 24, saying, “bro I did it last night any my pupils got so small they disappeared and then I was nodding for 18 hrs,” “Bro this is uncut from the road” and “this is uncut from china,” according to the indictment.

That conversation then led to Steinberger asking L.H. if he could put him in contact with anyone that could dilute the drugs and then repackage them. Then Steinberger convinced L.H. to round up customers for their operation. He texted L.H. and said: “Find me customers and tell them you’re the plug and I’ll get it to you and then sell it and cut u in a tiny bit and throw u a free (Klonopin) and dope,” according to the indictment.

On Feb. 25, L.H. fatally overdosed on furanyl fentanyl that had been purchased from Steinberger, the indictment says.

“Investigators of the Heroin Death Investigation Team are trained to investigate heroin overdose cases and link the victims back to the dealers,” said Cleveland Division of Police Chief Calvin D. Williams in a statement. “It is through the combined efforts of law enforcement, at the local, state and federal levels, and prosecutors of the U.S. Attorney’s Office that these indictments are secured and convictions are won. It is the hope that these examples will deter others from continuing this deadly cycle.”

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