Delco Man Arrested For Selling Drugs That Killed Teen Girl: DA

WALLINGFORD, PA — A Delaware County man who was wanted for allegedly selling a 16-year-old girl a fatal dose of drugs has been taken into custody, according to authorities.

Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said William Michael Gabe, 31, of Wallingford, was arrested on charges of drug delivery resulting in death, involuntary manslaughter, and delivery of a controlled substance, all felonies, as well as with tampering with evidence and other related charges.

The DA's office said the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force and Pennsylvania State Police found Gabe at 1:30 pm. Thursday at a residence in Middletown. According to authorities, he was taken into custody while coming out of the back bedroom and trying to leave out the side door of the home.

Gabe's charged stem from the July 14 overdose death of a 16-year-old girl. An autopsy showed her cause of death was drug intoxication, including fentanyl.

Authorities said Tinicum police were called to the Red Rood Inn in Essington for a report of cardiac arrest. They found the victim unresponsive. She was later pronounced dead at the scene by medics.

According to the DA's office, Gabe was in the room where the victim was found, as well as the victim's mother and an 18-year-old woman.

County detectives interviewed 18-year-old at the Tinicum Township Police Headquarters, who told police she and the victim met up at a residence in Wallingford, and then traveled to the Red Roof Inn in a vehicle arranged for them by the Gabe.

Gabe is accused of possessing a bag containing white powder in square packages, pills and marijuana. The woman told police Gabe used a needle to inject drugs in his neck and injected the victim in her arm.

She and the victim then fell asleep, and the 18-year-old was awakened when the Gabe was unable to awaken the victim, the DA's office said.

The victim’s mother told investigators the 18-year-0old called her and told her that the victim was unconscious. The mother told the woman to call 911.

The victim's mother showed up and tried giving her daughter CPR.

The mother told investigators that pills and alcohol were littered throughout the room.

Authorities said video footage of the area outside the motel room, as well as other areas
surrounding the motel showed Gabe leaving the room shortly after the arrival of the victim’s
mother.

Detectives found a small trash bag containing a hypodermic needle and glassine bags. Detectives also found items commonly used to package narcotics, including two items which were subsequently determined to contain fentanyl.

A review of video footage of the front desk showed the Gabe entering the lobby area about an hour after checking in. Authorities said he appeared intoxicated and asked the desk clerk if the motel had Narcan available. The desk clerk told him that he did not have any Narcan and asked if he
should call 911. The defendant told him "no, no everything will be fine" and then
he left.

Gabe was informed of the video footage, and he acknowledged that he had asked about Narcan when he was unable to wake the victim, the DA's office said.

A drug delivery resulting in death charge is issued to a person who intentionally administers, dispenses, delivers, gives, prescribes, sells or distributes any controlled substance or counterfeit controlled substance and another person die as a result of using the substance. The charge carries a maximum possible sentence of 20 to 40 years in prison.

Gabe is being held at the George W. Hill Correctional Facility. Bail was set at $500,000.