Trial Set For Phoenixville Man Accused Of Selling Carfentanil

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — The Phoenixville man who allegedly sold the elephant tranquilizer carfentanil, leading to an overdose death, will head to trial, according to court documents.

Damon Alfred Eskridge, 20, of Railroad Street, faces charges of drug delivery resulting in death and related counts, authorities said. He waived his preliminary hearing this week.

It marks the first case of carfentanil in Chester County. The drug has been discovered in the local area just in the past week, as it is responsible for deaths in both Montgomery and Bucks counties. It had already been causing deaths in Philadelphia after making its way east from western Pennsylvania and the Harrisburg area a few months ago, officials said.

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Carfentanil has been described as 10,000 times deadlier than heroin, and 100 times deadlier than fentanyl, a drug responsible for many local overdose deaths.

Police found a 34-year-old man dead in his Second Avenue home in Phoenixville on July 4. A toxicology report later revealed carfentanil in his blood stream.

A search of his home revealed numerous empty heroin bags labeled "New Arrival," "Chapo," and "Wells Fargo," and a search of his cell phone connected them to "Kevin D." - Eskridge - the man's dealer, authorities said.

Police arranged for Eskridge to deliver a bundle of heroin to the corner of St. Mary's Street and South Street in Phoenixville. Eskridge arrived and was arrested. He was carrying bags of heroin identical to those found in the victim's home.

Eskridge's bail was set at $1 million and he was sent to Chester County Prison.

Known on the street as "gray death," carfentanil poses a severe risk to first responders, who could face deadly consequences if they come into contact with the drug.

A few grains of salt is enough of the substance to lead to overdose.

A formal arraignment for Eskridge is set for Oct. 5. A trial date is pending.

Image via Chester County District Attorney's Office