A Cincinnati man and a Villa Hills man are headed to federal prison for their roles in a fentanyl distribution chain that investigators say ended with a fatal overdose in Kenton County. Ryan Cooley received a 12.5-year sentence, and Nicholas Sturgill was sentenced to 10 years, both for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning handed down the sentences on Thursday, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Kentucky. The office says Cooley, of Cincinnati, and Sturgill, of Villa Hills, were both convicted of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, with Cooley’s term set at 12.5 years and Sturgill’s at 10 years.
According to authorities cited by WKRC, Cooley sold pills to Sturgill, who then brought them to his home and shared them with the victim. Toxicology and autopsy findings showed the victim died from an overdose involving fentanyl and xylazine the day after receiving the pills.
Pills Laced With Fentanyl, Xylazine, Ketamine and Carfentanil
Investigators recovered additional pills and drug paraphernalia from Sturgill’s home, and officials say those items tested positive for fentanyl and xylazine. The station’s report notes that pills recovered during the broader investigation contained fentanyl analogues, xylazine, ketamine and carfentanil — a combination that points to just how unpredictable the local pill supply had become…