An Akron man faces at least 20 years in prison after a jury convicted him of selling fentanyl and heroin that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old Akron woman.
Ryan Sumlin, 29, is scheduled to be sentenced Aug. 3. A jury convicted Sumlin on all three counts - distribution of fentanyl and heroin that resulted in death, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
“This defendant put profits ahead of all else, willingly selling drugs that he knew could - and did -- kill his customers," said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will prosecute those who profit from this epidemic to the fullest extent of the law, while working to help those who want treatment to find it."
Sumlin sold a mix of fentanyl and heroin to Carrie Dobbins on March 28, 2015. Sumlin mixed fentanyl - which is far more powerful - with heroin but did not tell his customers. The fentanyl he obtained originally came from China, according to court documents and trial testimony.
This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Linda Barr and Elliott Morrison. It was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Akron Police Department and the Fairlawn Police Department.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
