A husband and wife have been sentenced to a combined 45 years in federal prison for their roles in the fentanyl overdose death of a victim in Arkansas.
Terry Wayne Franklin, 39, received a 25-year sentence, while his wife, Mary Danielle Sheppard, 36, was sentenced to 20 years. The sentences were handed down by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.
“This couple made the decision to sell pills containing a deadly, illegal drug, unfortunately resulting in yet another loss of life from the use of fentanyl,” said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. “Let this sentence serve as a warning to those who sell fentanyl in any form, that you will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law and the penalty is severe.”
The investigation, led by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), revealed that Franklin and Sheppard sold fentanyl pills to the victim in May 2022. The victim was later found deceased from an overdose, and the pills were discovered at the scene. Text messages and surveillance footage confirmed the transaction between the victim and the couple.
Months later, the couple was stopped by police in Texas while traveling north. Officers found numerous fentanyl pills in their possession.
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