Thomas Galiano III and Hailee Anne Helton, both 26 and from Colorado Springs, have been sentenced for their roles in distributing fentanyl that resulted in two deaths. The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announced that Galiano received a sentence of 144 months, while Helton was sentenced to 168 months after both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
According to plea agreements, the Colorado Springs Police Department responded in August 2022 to a call at Mountain View Apartment Homes where a 31-year-old man was found deceased. Investigators discovered a blue tablet marked M-30 at the scene, which tested positive for fentanyl. Electronic evidence such as CashApp payments and social media communications linked Helton and Galiano to the sale of drugs to the victim.
In October 2022, Pueblo County Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence in Rye, Colorado, after an unresponsive 18-year-old woman was reported. At that location, authorities found three blue tablets marked M-30 in a black bag; these also tested positive for fentanyl. Social media evidence again connected the pills back to Helton and Galiano.
That same month, an undercover operation by law enforcement led to the purchase of 16 fentanyl pills for $150 from Helton and Galiano.
United States Attorney for the District of Colorado Peter McNeilly stated: “Fentanyl is a scourge on our society, and it has claimed the lives of two more young people in our community. These cases should serve as a warning to other fentanyl dealers that selling even just a handful of pills can put you in federal prison for a very long time.”
FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Amanda Koldjeski commented: “Fentanyl continues to take lives within our community, and two lives are lost due to the careless actions of these drug dealers. Working jointly with the Colorado Springs Police Department, FBI Denver was able to bring a measure of justice to their families and accountability to those responsible. We will not stop and will continue to target drug traffickers who bring violence and misery to our community.”
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said: “While no sentence can bring the victims in this case back, we hope this outcome provides a measure of justice and comfort to their families and loved ones. We remain unwavering in our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who profit from poisoning our community.”
Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero added: “The loss of a life to fentanyl is devastating, and we take every overdose death seriously. Our crime scene and narcotics detectives’ exceptional work in this case ensured that those who supplied the drugs were brought to justice. This outcome reflects our commitment to treating these cases with the seriousness they deserve.”
United States District Judge Charlotte N. Sweeney presided over sentencing proceedings.
The investigation involved cooperation between the FBI Colorado Springs Resident Agency, Colorado Springs Police Department, and Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office. The Transnational Organized Crime and Money Laundering Section prosecuted the case.
