Cattle Tranquilizer Led To Montco Overdose Death, 3 Charged: DA

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A Montgomery County woman's overdose death in May was caused in part by a drug more potent than fentanyl that is typically used as a cattle tranquilizer, authorities said. Three individuals have been charged for selling her the fatal mixture.

Jonathan Heffren, 27, of Reading, Michael Lavelle, 23, of Plymouth Meeting, and Marrissa Roman, 29, of Douglassville, all face drug delivery resulting in death and related charges in the death of 41-year-old Jessica Martin.

The overdose occurred back on May 16 at a home on Providence Forge Road in Upper Providence.

An investigation revealed that Heffren met Martin at the America's Best Hotel in Pottstown days before her death, police said.

Heffren sold Martin $80 worth of baggies stamped with the word "ADIDAS," according to authorities. Tests revelaed the bags contained fentanyl, fentanyl derivatives, and xylazine, a drug described as authorities as a "non-opioid tranquilizer" typically used to sedate horses, cattle, and other large animals.

Lavelle and Roman, who were paying for the room at the hotel, supplied Heffren with the mixture, the DA's Office said.

A search of the room on May 20 by police led to the discovery of 424 more of the ADIDAS-marked drug baggies, police said.

"Drug users should know that xylazine is even more potent than fentanyl,” Montgomery County DA Kevin Steele said in a statement. “With this arrest, a significant supply of illegal drugs in Montgomery County has been stopped."

After a bail hearing, bail was reduced for Roman and Lavelle to $99,000. Heffren's bail was set at $250,000. All three were booked at Montgomery County Correctional Facility and remain in custody.

A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 23.