AKRON, Ohio -- Two Akron men were sentenced for selling fentanyl to a woman who overdosed and died.
Richard Sandy, 23, and James Buell, 29, were sentenced to three years in prison for the overdose death of Alicia Dice, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh said.
Earlier in May, Sandy pleaded guilty involunatry manslaughter and aggravated trafficking drugs. Sandy gave Buell the drugs, who then sold them to Alicia Dice. She died from an overdose after using the drugs. Officials say Dice thought bought heroin, not fentanyl which is much stronger than morphine. She was found dead by her grandfather.
Buell pleaded guilty in April to involuntary manslaughter, aggravated trafficking drugs and cocaine.
"Heroin is a major concern for our community," says Prosecutor Walsh. "What's worse is the addict does not know if they are getting pure heroin, a combination of heroin and fentanyl, or just straight fentanyl. Three years is the minimum sentence and we requested the judge to impose a longer sentence for Sandy. We need to send a message that we will continue to aggressively prosecute drug dealers and they will be sent to prison."
