Montgomery County man convicted for distribution of acetyl fentanyl resulting in death

GREENBELT, Maryland – A federal jury today convicted Justin Larson, age 30, of Gaithersburg, Maryland, for distribution of acetyl fentanyl, which resulted in death; conspiracy to distribute narcotics; five counts of possession or attempted possession of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue with intent to distribute; and one count of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance. The jury was not able to reach a verdict on a second count of distribution of acetyl fentanyl, resulting in death. 

According to the testimony at his three-week trial, from May 2014 through March 17, 2016, Larson conspired to distribute acetyl fentanyl, and furanyl fentanyl, a controlled substance analogue. The evidence showed that on May 9, 2014, Larson distributed acetyl fentanyl to an individual, resulting in the death of that individual.

Larson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of life in prison for distribution of acetyl fentanyl with death resulting; a maximum of 30 years in prison for the narcotics conspiracy; and a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the six possession and distribution counts, and.  U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled sentencing for April 26, 2017, at 1:30 p.m.  Larson remains detained. 

The case was investigated by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force and was led HSI Baltimore with assistance from the Montgomery County Police Department.

The HIDTA program is a federal grant program administered by the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy and provides resources to assist federal, state, local and tribal agencies coordinate activities that address drug trafficking in specially designated areas of the United States. The program also encourages the facilitation of cooperation among law enforcement agencies to share information and implement coordinated enforcement activities.