Fatal Fentanyl Overdose In Upper Providence Results In Three Arrests

UPPER PROVIDENCE, PA — Three suspects are charged with causing the fatal overdose of a 41-year-old delivering a purple-colored mixture of fentanyl and xylazine in baggies stamped “ADIDAS” to the Upper Providence Township woman.

Jessica Martin died May 19 in Phoenixville Hospital as a result of complications of fentanyl and xylazine intoxication, according to the Chester County coroner’s office.

Fentanyl is a strong opioid and xylazine is a non-opioid tranquilizer used by veterinarians to sedate horses, cattle and other large animals.

The suspects, Jonathan Heffren, 27, of Reading; Michael Lavelle, 23, of Plymouth Meeting; and Marrissa Roman, 29, of Douglassville, are in Montgomery County Prison Monday awaiting a preliminary hearing.

“These defendants sold a very potent and deadly mix of fentanyl and xylazine to Ms. Martin, causing her death,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele said in a prepared statement.

“Drug users should know that xylazine is even more potent than fentanyl. With this arrest, a significant supply of illegal drugs in Montgomery County has been stopped.

Drug delivery causing death carried a sentence of 20 to 40 years in state prison, according to the state sentencing guidelines.

According to reports from Steele’s office:

• Upper Providence police responded to a report of cardiac arrest at 8:26 p.m. on May 16.
• Police found nine blue wax baggies stamped “ADIDAS” and containing a purple substance suspected of being heroin/fentanyl as well as a needle and other evidence of drug use.
• Detectives later discovered text messages from the morning she overdosed, where Martin arranged to purchase $80 worth of baggies stamped “ADIDAS” from Heffren in Room 228 at the America’s Best Hotel on High Street in Pottstown.
• The investigation also found that Heffren obtained heroin/fentanyl stamped “ADIDAS” from his suppliers Lavelle and Roman, both of whom were the also registered occupants of America’s Best Hotel Room 228.