Rockland County Man Who Distributed Fentanyl That Resulted In Six Poisonings, Including Multiple Deaths, Pleads Guilty

 

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JUSTIN TURNICK pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl.  TURNICK distributed fentanyl that resulted in three fatal fentanyl poisonings and three non-fatal fentanyl poisonings between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, New York.  TURNICK pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern. 

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Justin Turnick’s actions didn’t just facilitate addiction—they fueled a crisis that claimed lives and inflicted unimaginable suffering.  As we move forward, this Office remains resolute in its mission to combat the fentanyl epidemic and seek justice for the families and individuals affected by these deadly substances.” 

According to the allegations in the Indictment, court filings, and statements made in Court:

TURNICK engaged in the regular distribution of narcotics to members of his community in Rockland County, New York, including his friends, partners, and acquaintances.  TURNICK knowingly distributed fentanyl — a deadly and highly potent opioid — in various forms, including fentanyl that had been packaged into pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder.

TURNICK distributed fentanyl to Gustaf Olsen, resulting in his death, on or about February 3, 2020; to Jonathan Shashoua, resulting in his death, on or about July 11, 2020; to a female victim, resulting in her poisoning and serious bodily injury, on or about January 5, 2021; to Ione Koenig, resulting in her poisoning and serious bodily injury, on or about July 30, 2021; to Ione Koenig, resulting in her death, on or about July 31, 2021; and to a male victim, resulting in his poisoning and serious bodily injury, on or about on or about April 19, 2022.

TURNICK, 25, of Congers, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.  As part of his guilty plea, TURNICK stipulated that the substances he conspired to distribute and possess with intent to distribute resulted in the fatal fentanyl poisonings of Gustaf Olsen, Jonathan Shashoua, and Ione Koenig, and the non-fatal fentanyl poisonings of a female victim, a male victim, and Ione Koenig.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

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