Cleveland Man Indicted For Overdose Death In Fairview Park

FAIRVIEW PARK, OH — A Cleveland man has been accused of selling fentanyl and heroin that caused a fatal overdose in Fairview Park in 2018, the Department of Justice announced over the weekend.

“Defendants like this one, who sell the opioids killing our friends and neighbors, will be held accountable for their actions,” U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman said. “The detectives and agents who worked this case are to be commended for their tenacity.”

Devontae Payne, 28, has been charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl and heroin, one count of distribution of heroin, one count of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and two counts of use of a communication facility to facilitate a felony drug offense.

The indictment said Payne sold a mixture of fentanyl and heroin to a person that overdosed and died on August 9, 2018 in Fairview Park. The Department of Justice also accused Payne of selling heroin on November 1, 2018 and possessing nearly five grams of heroin and fentanyl on November 7, 2018.

The DEA, Cleveland Police and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department led the investigation into the overdose death.