Hatboro Woman Appears in Court, Facing Homicide Charges For Providing Fatal Opioid Dose: DA

HATBORO, PA-- A Hatboro drug dealer charged with criminal homicide for providing a heroin dose that led to the death of a Willow Grove man appeared in Montgomery County Court Wednesday, waiving her preliminary hearing.

Gwendolyn Marie Prebish, 27, has been charged with the criminal homicide count of drug delivery resulting in death and involuntary manslaughter in connection with the November 6 incident, authorities said. Michael Pastorino, 32, of Willow Grove, was the victim.

According to the DA, Pastorino sent and received drug-related text messages with Prebish, who told him that she would deliver four bags of heroin to his home.

Pastorino was found dead in his bedroom the next day. An autopsy revealed that the drug was actually fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is "40 to 50 times" more deadly than heroin, the DA said.

“Drug dealers need to know that they are killing people, and they will be held criminally responsible," DA Kevin Steele said. "Michael Pastorino died by someone poisoning him with this very deadly drug—fentanyl. Too many people are dying, and it’s because of this heroin and fentanyl epidemic. Addicts do
not know that what they are injecting is the much more powerful fentanyl since it looks practically identical to heroin. But when it hits their system, the fentanyl shuts down their body, and they die.”

According to 6ABC, Pastorino left behind a fiance and an eight-year-old child.

Prebish faces up to 40 years in prison. She is set to return to court in May.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.