LI Man Sentenced For Selling Heroin That Caused Death

MASSAPEQUA, NY — A Long Island man was sentenced to more than 16 years in prison for selling the drugs that led to the overdose of a Massapequa woman in 2020.

Donta Riddick, 35, of West Babylon, was sentenced to 198 months in prison for possessing and distributing heroin and fentanyl that led to the death of a 21-year-old Massapequa woman. He pleaded guilty to the charges against him on Jan. 28, 2022.

“Today’s sentencing is justice served for the trauma that the defendant directly caused to our district, including the death of his young neighbor,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “This Office, together with our federal and local partners, works tirelessly to hold accountable those who deal deadly drugs and contribute to the opioid epidemic’s devastating impact on our communities.”

According to prosecutors, on Sept. 13, 2020, Riddick sold fentanyl-laced heroin to the woman, who suffered a fatal overdose in a Massapequa motel the following morning. Police found texts with Riddick on her phone where she ordered heroin from him.

Riddick was arrested on Sept. 15 by the Nassau County Police Department and the DEA. When he was arrested, police found the same fentanyl-laced heroin on him that caused the woman's death.