LOS ANGELES – A 47-year-old man from Hawaiian Gardens has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl-laced drugs that caused the fatal overdose of an 18-year-old in 2020, federal authorities announced.
Gregory Hevener was sentenced by United States District Judge Mark C. Scarsi, who also ordered him to pay $45,100 in restitution. Hevener, convicted in June 2023 after a seven-day trial, faced charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute heroin. He has been in custody since his arrest in February 2022.
Prosecutors said the victim, an 18-year-old, unknowingly purchased fentanyl after responding to an OfferUp ad placed by Hevener in November 2020. The ad used coded language, advertising “black tar roofing materials” in place of black tar heroin. The two met in Hawaiian Gardens, where Hevener sold the victim a black, tar-like substance containing fentanyl and tramadol, a synthetic opioid. The victim ingested the substance after returning home and suffered a fatal overdose.
Investigators uncovered additional evidence of Hevener’s drug trafficking activities through searches conducted at his residence in 2021. Authorities seized large quantities of heroin, fentanyl, and drug paraphernalia, as well as OfferUp account records revealing his use of the platform to advertise and sell drugs.
“While no sentence can undo the loss suffered by the victim’s family, today’s sentencing demonstrates our commitment to holding accountable those who distribute lethal synthetic drugs,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada in a statement.
The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the El Monte Police Department, with prosecutors from the United States Attorney’s Office handling the trial.