Natick Man Guilty On Fentanyl Charges After Woman Found Dead In His Apartment

NATICK, MA — A Natick man was convicted yesterday following a six-day jury trial 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 convicted 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. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young scheduled sentencing for April 30, 2024.

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.

The charge of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl carries a minimum sentence of five years and up to 40 years in prison, at least four years of supervised release and a fine of up to $5 million.