Patrick Carl Timberlake, Jr., also known as "King," was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the overdose deaths of two individuals. The sentencing took place in United States District Court, with U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen making the announcement.
According to court documents, Timberlake sold heroin laced with fentanyl to two victims in separate incidents between December 2019 and January 2020. In both cases, the victims used the drugs purchased from Timberlake and died as a result of overdoses caused by the toxic effects of heroin and fentanyl.
On December 4, 2019, Timberlake sold approximately half a gram of heroin containing fentanyl to Victim 1. After using the drugs, Victim 1 was found unconscious by his father, who called emergency services. Despite efforts to revive him, Victim 1 was pronounced dead at the scene.
A second incident occurred on January 20, 2020, when Timberlake sold heroin containing fentanyl to Victim 2. The following day, first responders found Victim 2 unresponsive at his parents' home after receiving a welfare check request; he was also pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that Timberlake had been dealing heroin mixed with fentanyl daily from various apartments located in Saint Paul, Plymouth, and Columbia Heights. The investigation revealed that another customer informed Timberlake about Victim 1’s death shortly after it happened. Timberlake responded: “okay.” He continued selling drugs even after learning about the fatality.
A search of Timberlake's Columbia Heights apartment uncovered a Glock .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine and ammunition. Due to previous felony convictions, he was not legally allowed to possess firearms or ammunition.
United States District Judge Donovan W. Frank presided over the case and sentenced Timberlake to serve 204 months (17 years) in prison followed by three years of supervised release for two counts of distribution of heroin and fentanyl. During sentencing Judge Frank addressed "the scourge of fentanyl deaths affecting our country" and acknowledged "the heartbreak to both of the victim’s families who lost their loved ones to the fentanyl epidemic."
The case was investigated by the Isanti County Sheriff’s Office and Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Nathan H. Nelson prosecuted the case.
