Man Sentenced After Lacing Cocaine With Fentanyl, Causing 6 Overdoses At A Fairfax Party

DUMFRIES, VA — A Dumfries man will face 30 years in prison after he gave fentanyl to six people who overdosed at a party in Fairfax County in 2021, authorities said.

One of the six people died from the overdose. The five other people were saved after they received Narcan.

Authorities identified the man as 28-year-old Michael Vaughn. Vaughn was convicted of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, and possession with the intent to distribute fentanyl. He received a 30-year sentence on Monday, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia said.

On Sept. 28, 2021, Vaughn gave cocaine to six people at an apartment party in the Skyline area of Fairfax County, according to court documents. The partygoers didn't know that Vaughn had intentionally laced the cocaine with fentanyl, prosecutors said.

Vaughn was arrested in October 2021. During the arrest, police officers found 60 grams of fentanyl powder at his home, authorities said.

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