Man Convicted Of Murder After Friend Overdosed On Fentanyl, Heroin

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — In 2018, a former Marine died of an overdose at a home in Haymarket. This week, a Prince William County jury determined that the man who distributed the drugs was guilty of murder.

Dustin Lueker, the former Marine, was 25 years old when he died. He was injured while serving in Afghanistan before he was discharged, prosecutors said.

Authorities identified the suspect as Jacob Belotti. The jury convicted Belotti of felony murder and distribution of a schedule I/II controlled substance.

Belotti will have a sentencing hearing on March 15, 2024. He could face up to 80 years in prison, based on Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

"This was a difficult case to prosecute. Charges had been denied by the prior administration given the complexities of the case including the death of one of the eyewitnesses from complications of substance abuse," Prince William County Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth said in a news release. "However, at the end of the day, good people came forward to share their knowledge of what transpired that weekend which ultimately made the prosecution possible and they did so knowing that their own actions would be scrutinized and criticized."

On Feb. 25, 2018, first responders were called to a home in Haymarket for an unresponsive man. They found Lueker dead in the living room of Belotti's home, according to authorities.

Belotti originally said he and Lueker drank alcohol the prior night. Belotti claimed that when he woke up, his friend was dead.

An eyewitness later disputed Belotti's claim.

Police investigators determined that Belotti and Lueker partied with multiple people the night before his death. The party began at Lueker's apartment and continued at Belotti's Haymarket home.

"At Mr. Lueker’s request and over the warnings of at least one witness, Mr. Belotti injected Mr. Lueker with what everyone believed to be heroin but which actually was a combination of heroin and fentanyl," the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney said in a report. "Mr. Lueker died as a result."

Belotti pleaded not guilty to charges of felony murder, conspiracy to distribute a schedule I/II controlled substance, and distribution of a schedule I/II controlled substance. The conspiracy charge was dismissed, but a jury found him guilty of the other two charges after a 3-day trial.

"Fentanyl is deadly and one shot can kill you," Ashworth said. "There are a multitude of resources to reach out to if you are addicted to narcotics and I am hopeful this case prompts at least one person to take a second look at their addiction and get help."

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration operates a 24/7 hotline for people struggling with addiction at 1-800-662-4357.