Press Release

Press Release  Fentanyl Dealer Convicted of Manslaughter

A Lynn man was found guilty of causing the death of a man who purchased fentanyl from him.
For immediate release:
9/20/2017
  • Essex District Attorney’s Office

Media Contact   for Fentanyl Dealer Convicted of Manslaughter

Carrie Kimball Monahan, Director of Communications

Salem, MassachusettsA drug dealer was found guilty of causing the death of a man who purchased fentanyl from him today in Lawrence Superior Court. Judge Mary Ames will impose a sentence on September 28, 2017.

Carlos Hunter, 33, of Lynn was convicted of involuntary manslaughter today following a 6-day trial.

Essex Assistant District Attorney Kelleen Forlizzi introduced evidence that proved that the defendant sold the victim, Joshua Miller, 37, of Lynn, the fentanyl that caused his death. The victim had developed an addiction to pain medication after he was in a car accident when he was 16 years old. On July 13, 2015, he was found unresponsive at a sober house where he was living on 112 Eastern Avenue in Lynn at 6:40 pm. He was transported to North Shore Medical Center in Salem where he was pronounced dead. Through search warrants, investigators were able to obtain cell phone and cell phone tower data that showed that the victim arranged to meet and purchase drugs from the defendant earlier that day at 5:31 pm. Importantly, there was no evidence that the victim had purchased drugs from anyone other than the defendant on the day he overdosed. The Medical Examiner ruled that the exclusive cause of death was acute heroin and fentanyl intoxication.

“Securing a manslaughter conviction against a drug dealer is extremely challenging,” Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said. “I commend the hard work of the trial team, the Lynn Police and the Massachusetts State Police, whose efforts ensure that this defendant will be held accountable.”

ADA Forlizzi was assisted by Essex Victim Advocate Dawn Gigante-Masterson. She also praised the work of Massachusetts State Police Sgts. David Crouse and Jason Conant as well as MSP Troopers Brian O’Neill and Steve Buccheri, of the Essex State Police Detective Unit. In addition, Lynn Police Detective Michael DiMeglio, Lt. Tom Reddy, and Sgt. Rick Carrow were instrumental in the investigation.

The defendant is currently serving two to two and half years in state prison for distribution of fentanyl for selling to undercover Lynn Police officers as part of this investigation. He is represented by Attorney John Apruzzese.

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Media Contact   for Fentanyl Dealer Convicted of Manslaughter

  • Essex District Attorney’s Office 

    Essex District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett is committed to holding criminals accountable, securing justice for victims of crime and providing services and drug treatment to non-violent offenders.
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