KPD Arrest Results in Conviction for Controlled Substances Homicide

Published on July 12, 2023

Media Contact:
Sergeant Eric Karp
Kirkland Police Department
ekarp@kirklandwa.gov
425-587-3436

Kirkland, WA – An arrest by the Kirkland Police Department (KPD) of a suspected drug dealer results in a conviction for Controlled Substance Homicide – only the second conviction of this kind in King County.

The investigation began in September 2021, when a person overdosed and died inside an apartment in south Kirkland after ingesting fentanyl. It was discovered that the person had gone to the apartment to purchase fentanyl from its resident.

Detectives from KPD’s Pro-Act and Investigations Units found that the resident was a dealer of illegal narcotics, specifically fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.

This individual was arrested on November 10th, 2021. Inside his home, Pro-Act detectives found several guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, illegal narcotics and a considerable amount of cash.

On June 1st, 2023, the individual pled guilty to Controlled Substance Homicide & Unlawful Use of Building for Drug Purposes.

According to the King County Prosecutor’s Office, prosecuting a Controlled Substance Homicide – in which a person is found guilty of unlawfully delivering a controlled substance to another person who dies using the controlled substance – is notoriously difficult. There have only been 9 Controlled Substance Homicide cases with the evidence needed under the law to file charges since 2004.

Kirkland and Bellevue lead King County in bringing these cases forward.

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