TEXARKANA, Texas -- A federal indictment unsealed Tuesday accuses four men of conspiring to distribute drugs in the Texarkana area resulting in several overdose deaths.
Deablo Deshon Lewis, 31, aka "Pablo Lew"; Michael Darnell Peacock, 37, aka "Fruit"; Terrance Lamar Peacock, 31, aka "T"; and Justin Marshall Owens, 40, are each charged in a two-count indictment in the Texarkana Division of the Eastern District of Texas.
Count one of the indictment alleges conspiracy to distribute 40 grams or more of a mixture containing fentanyl, 50 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, marijuana and U-47700. U-4700, like fentanyl, is a synthetic opioid more powerful than morphine.
Unlike fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance which is used in hospital or hospice settings, U-47700 is a Schedule I controlled substance.
"Substances in schedule I have a high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision," according to the DEA.
U-4700 is known on the street as pink, pinky or U4, according to a DEA fact sheet.
The drug can be snorted, injected or pressed into pill form, according to the DEA site. Numerous overdose deaths have been attributed to counterfeit prescription pills sold on the street which look like oxycodone, for example, but which actually contain a stronger, more powerful opioid such as fentanyl.
Count one of the indictment contains a section titled "Deaths and serious bodily injuries" and alleges three deaths and a case of serious injury can be attributed to the use of the controlled substances distributed by the defendants. The alleged victims are identified by their initials in the indictment and include persons who died Jan. 9, 2021, March 31, 2021, and Sept. 4, 2021, and a person who was injured via drug use March 31, 2021.
The allegations of death and serious injury resulting from the conspiracy substantially increase the possible punishment the defendants face. All of the men are facing mandatory federal prison time with the possibility of life. Fines in the millions are possible as well.
The second count of the indictment alleges use or carrying of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
If found guilty of using a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, each of the defendants faces a minimum of five years to life in prison and any term imposed must be served consecutively to any sentence ordered for the underlying offense.
The indictment includes a notice of the government's intent to seek the forfeiture of three pistols, nearly $18,000 in cash and a 2017 Cadillac CT6. The government is also seeking a judgment of $5 million meant to represent the proceeds of the alleged misconduct.
The indictment was filed in March but was not unsealed until Tuesday when the last of the four defendants was brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Caroline Craven for an initial appearance. All of the men have pleaded not guilty and all are being held in federal custody.
Authentic oxycodone M30 tablets, top, vs. counterfeit oxycodone M30 tablets containing fentanyl, bottom, as pictured on a May 2021 fact sheet issued by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. (Submitted photo)