Evergreen Reporter

A Martinsville, Virginia man has been sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for distributing cocaine laced with fentanyl, leading to the deaths of two individuals. Okoyte Devon Gaston, aged 31, pled guilty in September 2024 to one count of distributing fentanyl.

Court documents reveal that in February 2023, Gaston arranged to sell what was believed to be one-fourth an ounce of cocaine powder to a victim identified as "C.U." However, the substance was laced with fentanyl. The transaction took place at a Sheetz gas station parking lot in Franklin County, Virginia, where Gaston sold the drugs for $350.

The victims, C.U., her boyfriend "M.A.", and another individual "J.U.", used some of the purchased drugs shortly after the meeting. They then returned to C.U.'s trailer home in Franklin County. J.U. reported feeling unwell and went inside to sleep while leaving C.U. and M.A. alone in their car.

The following morning, J.U. found both C.U. and M.A. unresponsive; M.A. remained seated in the passenger seat while C.U. was on the ground outside the driver’s door. Emergency services were called but upon arrival pronounced both deceased due to acute fentanyl and cocaine toxicity.

Acting U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Lee and Ibrar A. Mian, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Washington Division announced this sentencing decision.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration alongside the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office with support from Virginia State Police, Roanoke City Police, and Roanoke County Police.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kelly McGann and Keith Parrella are overseeing prosecution efforts for this case.