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Grand Rapids dealer faces life in prison for distributing fatal dose of fentanyl

department of justice DOJ
Posted at 4:32 PM, Jan 19, 2021
and last updated 2021-01-19 16:32:28-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Javonae Quintez White, 38, was fund guilty of giving a deadly dose of fentanyl to a Grand Rapids woman according to U.S. Attorney Andrew Barge.

“Fentanyl and its analogues are the deadliest of illegal street drugs. Individuals who order heroin are increasingly receiving fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that is much easier and cheaper to produce than heroin but offers a similar high. Addicts who take fentanyl frequently do so with deadly consequences,” said U.S. Attorney Birge. “Those involved in illegal opioid distribution in West Michigan beware: if you deal heroin and fentanyl, you are not only ruining lives, you are often taking them. The West Michigan law enforcement community is committed to ensuring that drug dealers who distribute drugs resulting in death are brought to justice and that lives are accounted for,” added U.S. Attorney Birge.

July 8, 2018 the woman was discovered in unresponsive/unresponsive in her apartment. According to the Grand Rapids Police Department the two used the fentanyl late the previous day.

“The Grand Rapids Police Department recognizes the toll that the opioid crisis has taken on our community. We strive to hold opioid dealers accountable for the deaths they are continuing to cause in our city and across the country,” added Grand Rapids Police Department Lieutenant Jon Wu. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their persistence in securing Mr. White’s conviction for selling fentanyl, which all too often results in death.”

The boyfriend obtained through a middle man for White. An arranged undercover purchase from the middle man, resulting in his subsequent arrest. On July 8, 2018 White was arrested.

White was indicted for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, distribution of fentanyl, and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Due to his previous felony record, White faced life in prison if convicted.

In September 2020, a jury convicted White for distributing fentanyl to the addict / middleman on July 8, 2018 and for possession with intent to distribute the fentanyl and cocaine found on him at his arrest. The jury did not return a verdict on the distribution resulting in death charge.

White chose to be retried on the distribution resulting in death charge after declining a plea agreement that would have enabled him to receive a sentence of less than mandatory life in prison. After four days of trial, the jury convicted him. White’s sentencing is scheduled for April 26, 2021 before U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney at which time he will face a mandatory sentence of life in prison.

The boyfriend and middleman were charged by the Kent County Prosecutor’s Office and are serving the remainder of their sentences.

“The Grand Rapids Police Department recognizes the toll that the opioid crisis has taken on our community. We strive to hold opioid dealers accountable for the deaths they are continuing to cause in our city and across the country,” added Grand Rapids Police Department Lieutenant Jon Wu. “We thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their persistence in securing Mr. White’s conviction for selling fentanyl, which all too often results in death.”