Montgomery man sentenced to two decades for fentanyl death

A Montgomery man will spend two decades in prison for his role in a Fentanyl-related death.

Acting United States Attorney Kevin Davidson and DEA New Orleans Division Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer said 37-year-old Lawrence Coley, III has been sentenced to 240 months in prison.

Cooley was previously convicted on charges of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and possession of fentanyl with intent to distribute the illegal drug. There is no parole in the federal system.

According to court records and evidence presented during Coley’s trial earlier this year, Coley sold a Montgomery man pills that had the appearance and markings of pharmaceutical oxycodone tablets.

Lab analysis revealed that the pills sold to the victim were counterfeit and actually contained fentanyl, causing his death.

During Coley’s sentencing hearing, the judge heard testimony that Coley continued to sell the counterfeit pills even after learning of the victim’s death.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Montgomery Police Department investigated this case, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences and the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Brandon W. Bates and Christopher P. Moore prosecuted the case.