Auburn man sentenced to 12 years in prison after teen’s overdose death

A federal judge has sentenced an Auburn man to 144 months in prison following the 2021 overdose death of a teenager.

Jay Quan Adams, 23, was sentenced Thursday, according to a news release from Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama Kevin Davidson and Special Agent in Charge Steven Hofer with the Drug Enforcement Administration. There is no possibility of parole in the federal system.

Adams pleaded guilty earlier this year to one count of possession to distribute fentanyl. Other charges against Adams were dropped as part of a plea agreement.

“Fentanyl is a deadly drug that destroys lives and devastates families,” Davidson said. “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.”

According to the press release, on March 26, 2021, police responded to a report of an unresponsive teen. The teen was determined to have died as a result of taking a pill that he did not know contained fentanyl.

On March 29, 2021, police searched Adams’ home and found pills containing fentanyl. Investigation revealed that the teen went to Adam’s home the night before he died and paid him $80.

When police searched Adams’ home, they discovered pills consistent with hydrocodone and Percocet, marijuana and a firearm, according to news reports at the time.

Adams admitted during his plea hearing in May that he possessed the pills with the intent to distribute them. According to previous news reports, he was 19 when he was arrested.

“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 investigated the case. The Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences assisted in the case and Davidson prosecuted the case.