Berea Man Charged With Selling Heroin That Killed Lakewood Man

A fatal dose of heroin killed Cory Cooke of Lakewood on March 17th according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office and a Berea man is facing charges related to his death.

According to a news release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Brandon Wagner, 43, was indicted on one count of distribution of heroin and one count of using a communication facility to facilitate a felony. The indictment states that charges originated from a sale on March 16 which resulted in the death of another person. Wagner has a lengthy criminal record, he is facing a 20-year mandatory minimum term in prison.

“The unrelenting wave of fatalities associated with heroin and opioid abuse is a reminder to all of us that we need to do more to protect our community from this epidemic,”  U.S. Attorney Carole Rendon said in a statement. “The only way we can stem this tide is with a comprehensive approach focused on prevention, treatment, prescribing practices and enforcement. Law enforcement will continue to aggressively prosecute dealers whose actions result in the deaths of our sons and daughters.”

Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley told newsnet5 that addicts are not the only ones affected by the heroin and fentanyl crisis:

“The crisis we have in our communities due to heroin and fentanyl is not a problem for just the addicted,” Lakewood Police Chief Tim Malley said. “The families and friends are just as intimately involved with the damage and sorrow this causes. The Lakewood Police Department will continue to investigate all of our overdose cases to hold those accountable that have participated in any way in ending someone’s life. Those selling the heroin know that fatal consequences are all too likely with what they are selling, all for a few dollars.  The Lakewood Police Department will continue to work with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, and the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner to hold those accountable and take them off our streets for lengthy prison sentences.”

[Image Source: Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department]