Feds Charge 7 in Rash of Fentanyl Overdoses

MURFREESBORO, TN — Early in July, there was a rash of overdoses, particularly in Murfreesboro, related to the powerful synthetic opioid Fentanyl. After a three-month investigation, seven people were indicted Thursday on federal drug distribution charges related to what the U.S. Attorney called a "lethal cocktail."

At least two people died and many others were hospitalized due to the Fentanyl.

"Today, those named in this indictment are being held accountable in a court of law for infecting our local neighborhoods. However, the prosecution of these individuals has not put an end to this problem. The unlawful distribution of fentanyl and counterfeit prescription pills continue to pose a serious risk to our communities at alarming rates," U.S. Attorney David Rivera said.

The federal grand jury in Nashville charged five people with five counts of distribution of fentanyl, the use of which caused bodily injury; one county of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, the use of which resulted in death and serious bodily injury; and one count of distribution of fentanyl, the use of which resulted in death.

Those five are:

• Jonathan “Punky” Barret, 29, of Murfreesboro
• Eric Falkowski, 34, of Kissimmee, Fla.
• Davi Valles, Jr., 25, of Nashville
• Johnny Williams, 30, of Murfreesboro
• Jason Moss, 26, of Murfreesboro

Falkowski, Valles, Williams and Moss were also charged with one additional count of distribution of fentanyl that resulted in serious bodily injury. Additionally, Falkowski was charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.

Jennifer Dogonski, 33, of Murfreesboro, was charged on July 29 with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, the use of which caused serious bodily injury. She has since pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

Preston Davis, 22, of Madison, was charged on September 13 with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, the use of which resulted in death. Davis was also charged with possession of an AR-15 assault rifle in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Davis’ charges are pending.

According to prosecutors, in May 2016, Falkowski moved his pill operation to the home of Davis, in Madison after law enforcement conducted a search of his home in Florida and seized his pill presses. The indictment further alleges that at Davis’ Madison home, Falkowski and Davis possessed, among other things, a pill press, multiple dies used for embedding text onto pills, including a die for “A333,” a pill grinder, fentanyl, alprazolam and other drug manufacturing equipment.

The indictment alleges Davis, Valles, Barrett, Williams and Moss distributed pills produced by Falkowski and that on July 5 and July 6, they distributed hundreds of counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl, with the markings “A333” in and around the Murfreesboro area. On July 6, Barrett learned that some individuals who had purchased the pills had overdosed, and that one had possibly died, but that he continued to distribute the counterfeit pills. In total, the indictment alleges that the distribution of fentanyl caused two deaths and six people to experience serious bodily injury requiring medical intervention.

Six of the defendants are currently in custody. Jason Moss remains at large and is a fugitive.

If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum term of 20 years in prison, up to life and up to a $1 million fine for each count charged.

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