U.S. Attorney Mark A. Totten | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Mark Totten, announced that Lonnie Morrow from Kalamazoo has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. Morrow, aged 33, is set for sentencing on March 19, 2024, facing a minimum of five years and up to 40 years in federal prison.
"As little as two milligrams of fentanyl (a few grains of sand) can kill," stated U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "The trafficking of illegal drugs, especially fentanyl, is driving the ongoing epidemic of drug poisoning deaths here at home and across the United States. My office is committed to disrupting the flow of these poisons into our communities."
The plea agreement reveals that Morrow had about 10,800 pills containing fentanyl weighing over 1,100 grams intended for distribution. The drugs were discovered during a traffic stop on March 9, 2024, by officers from the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET). They found the pills concealed under Morrow's seat. Further searches led law enforcement to discover three firearms, ammunition, cocaine, and over $12,000 in cash at Morrow's apartment.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control indicate that in 2023 at least 107,543 people died from drug poisoning across the United States. This figure is close to the all-time high of 111,029 deaths recorded in 2022. In Michigan alone, at least 2,931 people died due to drug poisoning in 2023. Fentanyl accounted for approximately 75% of these deaths nationwide.
Support services are available for those dealing with addiction or their loved ones:
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 or visit www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis.
- Cope Network offers free Naloxone and harm reduction services in various counties: Call 269-580-8290 or visit www.copenetwork.org.
- The Grand Rapids Red Project provides similar services in Kent and Muskegon Counties: Call Kent County at 616-456-9063 or Muskegon County at 231-563-6865 or visit www.redproject.org.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services provides county-specific resources online.
The KDPS and KVET investigated this case with help from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
