New City, NY – Justin Turnick, 26, of Congers, New York, has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for his role in distributing fentanyl, which led to three fatal and three non-fatal overdoses in Rockland County. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern following an extensive investigation conducted by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Turnick had previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl, a highly potent and dangerous synthetic opioid. According to court documents, Turnick accepted responsibility for distributing fentanyl that contributed to the overdoses of teenagers and young adults in Rockland County between February 2020 and April 2022.
Details of the Overdose Cases:
- February 3, 2020: Gustaf Olsen, 19, died from fentanyl distributed by Turnick.
- July 11, 2020: Jonathan Shashoua, 22, also died after receiving fentanyl from Turnick.
- January 5, 2021: An 18-year-old girl experienced a non-fatal fentanyl poisoning.
- July 30, 2021: Ione Koenig, 18, suffered a non-fatal overdose from fentanyl provided by Turnick.
- July 31, 2021: Koenig died from another fentanyl overdose, again linked to Turnick.
- April 19, 2022: A 23-year-old man survived a non-fatal fentanyl poisoning.
In addition to his prison term, Turnick will also serve five years of supervised release following his incarceration.
Law Enforcement Response: “Today’s sentencing reflects our commitment to targeting individuals who poison our communities,” said DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Fentanyl is a lethal drug, and while we cannot bring back those lives lost due to Mr. Turnick’s reckless actions, we will always work to bring those responsible for this deadly distribution to justice.”
Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II emphasized the devastating impact of Turnick’s actions on the community. “The actions by the defendant resulted in three individuals losing their lives and harmed countless others. My office remains committed to keeping fentanyl and illegal narcotics off our streets and ensuring our residents’ safety.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock of the Southern District of New York, demonstrating the collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the Clarkstown Police Department and the DEA.
This sentencing comes amid increasing efforts by law enforcement to combat the spread of fentanyl, which has contributed to a surge in overdose deaths across the country. Community leaders continue to stress the importance of education, prevention, and treatment to address the opioid crisis.