Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino and Rockland County District Attorney Thomas E. Walsh II announced today that following a 2022 investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown PD, and the Drug Enforcement Administration into Justin Turnick, 26 of Congers, New York, has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern to over 21 years in prison.
Turnick previously pled guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. In his plea agreement, TURNICK took responsibility for distributing fentanyl that resulted in three fatal fentanyl poisonings and three non-fatal fentanyl poisonings of teenagers and young adults between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County, New York.
According to the allegations in the federal Indictment, Court filings, and statements made in Court:
Turnick engaged in the regular distribution of narcotics to members of his community in Rockland County, New York, including his friends, partners, and acquaintances. He knowingly distributed fentanyl — a deadly and highly potent opioid — in various forms, including fentanyl that had been packaged into pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder.
Turnick distributed fentanyl that resulted in three fatal and three non-fatal poisonings:
– On or about February 3, 2020, Gustaf Olsen died at age 19 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 11, 2020, Jonathan Shashoua died at age 22 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about January 5, 2021, an 18-year-old girl experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 30, 2021, Ione Koenig experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about July 31, 2021, Ione Koenig died at age 18 as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
– On or about April 19, 2022, a 23-year-old man experienced a non-fatal poisoning as a result of fentanyl received from Turnick.
In addition to the prison sentence, Turnick was sentenced to 5 years of supervised release.
“Today’s sentencing reflects the commitment the DEA and our law enforcement partners have in targeting those individuals who are poisoning our communities. Fentanyl is a lethal drug that dealers mix into their product knowing the harmful effects it presents to those using it, including death” stated DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “While we can never bring back those lives lost by Mr. Tunick’s reckless actions, the DEA will always continue to bring those responsible for this deadly distribution to justice.”
“The actions by the defendant in this case resulted in three individuals losing their lives and harming countless others. My Office is committed to keeping fentanyl and illegal narcotics off of our streets and our residents safe. I would like to commend the excellent work by the
Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, Clarkstown Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Prosecutors from the Southern District of New York to hold the defendant accountable. Mr. Turnick will be facing a lengthy prison sentence for his actions.” said
District Attorney Tom Walsh
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock. Some information above is from the Southern District of New York.
