Rogers man accused of fentanyl death
ROGERS, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — After an overdose death investigation of a 19-year-old, one man is facing a charge of aggravated death by delivery.
Twenty-three-year-old Enrique DeJesus Valdez is said to have sold fentanyl to 19-year-old Charles Gephart, according to police. Gephart was found dead on Nov. 11, 2023. The Benton County Coroner’s Office reported the cause of death as an accidental overdose.
An autopsy report listed fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death, confirming the accidental overdose report, police said.
Valdez was under investigation by the Benton County Drug Unit for his involvement in the trafficking of narcotics. He was arrested on May 9 by the BCDU.
On May 13, he was charged with aggravated death by delivery after it was found that Valdez supplied Gephart with the drug.
Arkansas lawmakers introduced the new law in 2023 which created the charge of aggravated death by delivery. The new charge is punishable anywhere between 20 to 60 years in prison or life in prison. The charge is applicable when a person knowingly or unknowingly gives fentanyl or another controlled substance that causes the death of another person.
Valdez is said to be the first prosecution in Benton County.
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“I believe this will be the first prosecution of this newly codified crime in Benton County. Fentanyl distribution has become a pervasive problem in every part of this country, and Benton County is not immune,” said Joshua Robinson of the Benton County Prosecutor’s Office. “This drug has caused tremendous damage to families across this region and this county, and my office will aggressively prosecute individuals accused of distributing and profiting from the addiction of others. We will not abide nor turn a blind eye to this business in our county; rather, we will actively investigate and prosecute individuals and organizations that choose to distribute this poison.”
The Benton County Prosecutor Joshua Robinson said in a news release.
He further stated, “This remains an open and ongoing investigation, and Mr. Valdez, and every person accused of any offense, is presumed innocent and will be treated as such unless and until they are proven guilty.”
Valdez is arrested on trafficking a controlled substance, delivery of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of firearm by certain persons charges.
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