Natick Man Gets 6 Years In Prison On Drug Charges After Woman Found Dead In His Apartment

NATICK, MA — A Natick man was sentenced this week in connection with fentanyl trafficking. During a search of the defendant’s apartment, the body of a missing 24-year-old woman who had died of a drug overdose was discovered.

Rafael Ashworth, 29, was sentenced by U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young to six years in prison, to be followed by five years of supervised release. The government recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison.

In February 2024, Ashworth was convicted following a six-day jury trial of one count of possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

“This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of drug trafficking on our communities. Mr. Ashworth’s conduct not only exposed our communities to dangerous drugs, it contributed to the tragic loss of a vibrant young woman,” said Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy.

“We will continue to work tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to combat drug trafficking and keep our neighborhoods safe.”

Ashworth was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2019 and subsequently charged in a superseding indictment in February 2021. He has remained in custody since his arrest in November 2019.

Police found a dead woman in Ashworth’s apartment after receiving a report of an overdose death. Approximately 100 grams of a substance containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin, counterfeit Xanax pills containing etizolam, an illegal benzodiazepine, a large metal press used for pressing counterfeit narcotic pills, kilograms of pill-making material and other paraphernalia associated with drug packaging and distribution were also located in the apartment.