Millcreek Township police accuse an 18-year-old Erie man of supplying drugs that caused a 27-year-old man's fatal overdose in the township in February.
Moquoy G. McLaurin was arraigned May 7 by Greene Township District Judge Susan Strohmeyer on felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death, possession with intent to deliver, criminal attempt at possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication facility, along with misdemeanor charges including involuntary manslaughter.
Strohmeyer set McLaurin's bond at $50,000 and tentatively scheduled his preliminary hearing for May 12, according to court records.
McLaurin turned himself in once he learned of the charges, his lawyer, Gene Placidi, said May 7. Placidi declined further comment at this time.
What is he accused of?
Millcreek police drug investigators, in a criminal complaint filed April 27, accuse McLaurin of supplying drugs to a man who was found Feb. 15 in cardiac arrest at a Partridge Drive residence in the township. The man was taken to AHN Saint Vincent, where he was pronounced dead, police reported.
The man's death was the result of combined drug toxicity primarily involving fentanyl, Erie County Coroner Lyell Cook said May 7.
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Investigators wrote in the complaint's affidavit that a portion of a plastic bag containing white powder was found near the man. They also found the man's cellphone and located messages between the man and a phone number that investigators said showed evidence of multiple drug transactions, most recently on the evening of Feb. 14, according to information in the affidavit.
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On Feb. 17, according to the affidavit, police said they identified the person using the phone number as McLaurin and contacted him at the number to set up an undercover purchase of fentanyl. Surveillance was set up outside the victim's house, and investigators saw a black Lincoln MKX pull up. Police surrounded the car and found McLaurin in the back seat, investigators wrote in the affidavit.
Police said they took McLaurin into custody and found the corner of a plastic bag containing a white powder on him. When police tested the power in the bags found with the victim and on McLaurin, both tested positive for containing fentanyl, investigators wrote.
Millcreek police initially charged McLaurin Feb. 18 with drug charges including felony possession with intent to deliver related to the incident. Those charges were withdrawn when the new charges were filed April 27, according to court records.
Contact Tim Hahn atthahn@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News:Millcreek police accuse Erie man of supplying drugs in fatal overdose
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