Evergreen Reporter

U.S. District Judge Sarah E. Pitlyk sentenced Zachary Hovis to 14 years in prison for selling fentanyl, which resulted in the death of one woman and the hospitalization of another on November 16, 2019. The sentencing took place on Thursday.

Hovis, aged 24, provided fentanyl to an 18-year-old woman at a country club parking lot in Weldon Spring, Missouri. The victim was found unconscious about an hour later in a nearby business parking lot and died despite attempts by a bystander to administer naloxone. A medical examiner determined that her death was due to fentanyl intoxication.

On the same day, Hovis supplied fentanyl to another individual who believed she was purchasing oxycodone. This person went to the hospital fearing an overdose but was treated and released.

In court, Assistant U.S. Attorney Tiffany Becker stated that Hovis advertised drugs on social media and continued selling after his friend's death. "The sentencing of a man who dealt drugs and killed someone brings some justice to the victim’s family and friends," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Colin Dickey from the Drug Enforcement Administration's Eastern Missouri operations.

Hovis pleaded guilty in June to two counts of distribution of fentanyl in U.S. District Court in St. Louis.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the St. Charles County Drug Task Force, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Tiffany Becker and Cassandra Wiemken.