Taunton Man Admits Selling Fatal Drug Dose to Fellow Patient

TAUNTON – A Taunton man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter after supplying a fellow patient at Bridgewater State Hospital with deadly drugs.

The Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said 37-year-old Kevin Malette admitted Tuesday to selling fentanyl and cocaine to 51-year-old Jeffrey Link, who later died of an overdose.

Malette pleaded guilty as he was set to stand trial for involuntary manslaughter, and was sentenced to serve four years in state prison, according to the D.A.'s office.

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On Sept. 19, 2019, while he was a patient at Bridgewater State Hospital, Malette distributed the fentanyl and cocaine to Link, a fellow patient, prior to Link's death.

Malette pleaded guilty to fentanyl trafficking, introducing contraband to a correctional facility, and other charges related to the fatal drug deal on April 12.

He was sentenced to four years in prison on those charges, but the D.A.'s office said the sentences will run concurrently.

No further details were disclosed.

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Filed Under: Bridgewater State Hospital, jeffrey link, kevin malette, Plymouth County District Attorney's Office

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