Tucson Man Admits To Selling Fentanyl That Led To Woman's Death

TUCSON, AZ —A Tucson man pleaded guilty in federal court last week to providing fentanyl that caused a woman's 2020 death, the U.S. Attorney's Office District of Arizona said on Tuesday.

Oscar S. Acuna, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced on July 12, by U.S. District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps. A conviction for distribution of fentanyl carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $1 million, or both, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

According to court records, Acuna admitted that he sold fentanyl pills and black tar heroin to the victim and her boyfriend at a Tucson Hotel in May of 2020.

Shortly after ingesting part of one pill, the victim began experiencing respiratory distress, court records stated.

Medical personnel were called to the scene, but were unable to save the victim's life. An autopsy confirmed the victim's death was caused by fentanyl and heroin toxicity, according to court records.

According to authorities, the case is being prosecuted in federal court by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefani Hepford, while the investigation into the case was conducted by the Tucson Police Department and Homeland Security Investigations.