Congers Man Accused Of Dealing Fentanyl That Killed 2

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — A Congers man accused of dealing deadly fentanyl watched three of his customers overdose, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York.

Justin Turnick, 25, was arrested and arraigned Wednesday for distributing fentanyl that resulted in death or serious bodily injury to five victims between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, Damian Williams said.

"As alleged, Justin Turnick was well aware of the dangers of the poison he peddled as he had witnessed three of his victims overdose before his own eyes, but he continued to distribute the drug anyway," U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in an announcement about the arrest. "Fentanyl is one of the foremost crises the United States faces today, as the leading cause of death for Americans ages 18 to 49. The fentanyl epidemic is lethally perpetuated by, among others, dealers like Justin Turnick who allegedly knowingly sell a drug that can be fatal to their customers."

He was charged with counts of narcotics distribution resulting in the deaths of Victim-1 and Victim-2, and four counts of narcotics distribution resulting in serious bodily injury to Victim-3, Victim-4 (who overdosed twice), and Victim-5.

Each of these counts carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison, prosecutors said.

He was dealing in his community, including to friends, partners, and acquaintances, prosecutors alleged. In particular, among other narcotics, Turnick was distributing fentanyl in various forms, including pills and fentanyl-laced powder.

Between February 2020 and April 2022, that fentanyl distribution was responsible for at least six overdoses, four of which Turnick personally observed, prosecutors alleged. The victims were between the ages of 19 and 24 at the time of their overdoses. Two died as a result.

"Today's indictment is an example of local and federal agencies working together to stem the tide of fatal fentanyl overdose deaths," Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh said. "My office, working with the New York Field Office of the DEA, is investigating and arresting the fentanyl dealers who are devasting our community. Fentanyl is killing people from all walks of life, every demographic and every ethnicity. In 2021, Rockland County reported 70 overdose deaths. That number is completely unacceptable. I commend the hard work of the Rockland County District Attorney's Drug Task Force, the DEA, and the prosecutors of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York."

Williams praised the outstanding work of the DEA’s Westchester Resident Office, the Clarkstown Police Department, and the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office. He also thanked the Ramapo Police Department, the Westchester County Police Department, the Yonkers Police Department, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Department, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, and the Orangetown Police Department for their support and assistance in this matter.

See the U.S. v. Turnick Indictment.