A teenager in Tarrant County has been convicted of murder under a new law dealing with fentanyl in Texas.
In 2023, lawmakers passed a bill giving prosecutors the ability to charge someone with murder for supplying fentanyl in a case where someone dies; the law also increased penalties for supplying or making fentanyl.
In Tarrant County, Kaeden Farish, 19, has pleaded guilty to a murder charge in the death of a 17 year old. District Attorney Phil Sorrells says Farish has been sentenced to 19 years in prison.
"This new law is a valuable tool in Tarrant County, and we will continue to use it when someone is killed by the effects of fentanyl," Sorrells said in a video released by his office.
The Texas Department of State Health Services says 2,492 people across the state have died from drug-related issues so far this year; 1,060, almost 43%, were caused by fentanyl.
DSHS says fentanyl deaths are on pace to drop about 20 percent from last year when 2,306 people died from fentanyl poisoning, and 5,093 died from all drug-related issues.
"We will continue to go after those who seek to profit from this deadly drug," Sorrels said. "If you make it or deal it to someone who dies, we'll charge you with murder."
Last year, Sorrells created a unit to focus on all cases involving drugs. He says two milligrams of fentanyl, "the equivalent of a few grains of table salt," can be fatal.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube