Belleville man convicted selling fake pain pills that killed a man, feds say

A 28-year-old Belleville man has been convicted by a federal jury in St. Louis in connection with his sale of fake pain pills that killed a man in St. Louis County in 2022, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

Deontae’ Tre’Von Overall was found guilty Wednesday of one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

The victim, whose name wasn’t released, contacted Overall’s cellphone on Dec. 3, 2022, seeking the prescription pain pill Percocet.

“The victim bought three pills that mimicked the appearance of Percocet from Overall…,” the release stated. “The victim died later that evening from fentanyl intoxication caused by ingesting the fake Percocet.”

Before the trial started, Overall pleaded guilty to one count of knowingly and intentionally distributing one or more controlled substances to another person for selling drugs to an undercover officer.

A search of Overall’s home in Belleville on Aug. 3, 2023, resulted in the seizure of drug paraphernalia and approximately 60 pills resembling those sold to the victim and to the undercover officer, according to the news release.

A defense attorney for Overall could not be reached for comment Friday.

Jurors deliberated for 1 hour, 40 minutes Wednesday.

The distribution of fentanyl resulting in death charge is punishable by 20 years to life in prison, a $1 million fine, or both prison and a fine while the charge of distribution of a controlled substance is punishable by up to 20 years in prison, a fine of $1 million, or both, according to the news release.

A sentencing date has not been set for Overall, according to court records.

“This case involves a young adult who was lied to by a drug dealer and his life is now tragically over,” Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey, head of U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration operations in Eastern Missouri, said in a statement.

“We’ve said it before, and we’ll keep saying it: if a pill did not come from a doctor or a pharmacy, don’t take it. Don’t be a statistic – one pill can kill.”