Wareham Pair Faces Federal Charges in Fentanyl Overdose Death

Two Wareham residents face federal charges in connection with the fatal overdose of a 42-year-old man.

Troy Jones, 40, and Kayla Nightingale, 33, were arrested Wednesday and on Thursday appeared before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelly. Each have been indicted on single counts of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death, and distributing fentanyl resulting in death.

Jones and Nightingale allegedly worked together in 2019 to distribute fentanyl in Wareham. On April 2 of that year, a 42-year-old man died of an apparent fentanyl overdose after he allegedly procured fentanyl from the pair.

“Fentanyl, which is far more potent than heroin, is an extremely dangerous drug that is now driving overdose deaths during the opioid epidemic,” said United States Attorney Andrew E. Lelling in a media release. “Federal law provides for particularly severe consequences when illegal drug trafficking results in death, and we intend to use every available tool to combat this problem.”

“The state of Massachusetts is faced with a fentanyl crisis unlike ever before,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian D. Boyle. “Those responsible for distributing this lethal drug and contribute to the loss of life for those battling this addiction need to be held responsible for their actions. In response to the ongoing opioid epidemic DEA and its local, state and federal partners are committed to bringing to justice those that distribute this poison.”

The charging statute provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison, at least three years and up to life of supervised release, a fine of up to $1 million and forfeiture, Lelling's office said.

The DEA, the FBI, Massachusetts State Police, and Wareham Police Chief John Walcek joined Lelling in making Thursday's announcement. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Dolan of Lelling’s Narcotics and Money Laundering Unit is prosecuting the case.