Evergreen Reporter

Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan, Andrew Birge, announced that Antjuan Pierre Jackson from Kalamazoo has been sentenced to 324 months in prison. Jackson was convicted for distributing fentanyl, which resulted in a death, and possessing fentanyl with intent to distribute. Post-release, he will be under supervised release for four years and must pay a $2,000 fine.

"Fentanyl continues to claim lives across Michigan and the United States," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Andrew Birge. "Defendants who sell this poison and kill people in the process must be brought to justice. My office is committed to disrupting the pipelines that distribute these deadly drugs in our communities."

Jackson was classified as a career offender due to two prior unarmed robbery convictions. Judge Jane M. Beckering acknowledged the profound loss experienced by the victim's family and described opioids as a leading cause of overdose deaths, emphasizing that fentanyl distribution is "a business that must be snuffed out."

Sergeant Brian Cake from the Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team commented on the case: "Every opioid overdose, especially overdose deaths, are tragic, and it is a shame that Antjuan Jackson chose to be a part of dealing these types of lethal drugs." He added that they hope this sentence deters others from engaging in similar criminal activities.

Evidence presented at trial revealed that on November 23, 2022, Jackson sold fentanyl to an individual who died hours later from an overdose. Despite this incident, Jackson continued his activities. In December 2022, authorities discovered over 80 grams of fentanyl at his residence along with cash, digital scales, cell phones, and packaging materials—indicators of drug trafficking. When confronted by police about his dealings, Jackson attempted to flee.

Judge Beckering highlighted during sentencing that just two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal and noted that Jackson possessed enough fentanyl for 43,420 potentially lethal doses.

The investigation was conducted by the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with additional support from the Michigan State Police (MSP). The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephanie Carowan and Timothy Verhey.