Auburn man sentenced to federal prison after teen’s death from fentanyl poisoning

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) – An Auburn man has been sentenced to federal prison after a teenager died of fentanyl poisoning in 2021.

Jay Quan Adams, 23, was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in prison, according to Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Kevin Davidson and Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

“Fentanyl is a deadly drug that destroys lives and devastates families,” Davidson said in a news release. “This case is a tragic example of the toll the drug is taking on communities here in the Middle District of Alabama. My office will continue to prioritize the prosecution of anyone selling these deadly pills.”

Court records show police responded to a report of a teen found unresponsive in his Auburn home on March 26, 2021. Investigators determined that the teen died as a result of taking a pill that he did not know contained fentanyl.

Investigation after the victim’s death revealed that he had gone to Adams’ home in Auburn the night before and paid Adams $80.

Prosecutors say a search warrant was served at Adams’ home days later and police found numerous pills laced with fentanyl. Adams admitted during his plea hearing in May 2024 that he had the pills with the intent to distribute them.

“Yesterday’s sentence brings a measure of justice to the victim’s family,” Hofer said. “Fentanyl is a silent killer that has claimed countless lives, and this case reminds us of the dangers of the synthetic opioid. We must continue to educate ourselves and our communities about the risks associated with fentanyl in hopes of preventing future tragedies.”

The DEA and Auburn Police, with assistance from the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, investigated the case. Davidson prosecuted the case.

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