LANSING – Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Andrew Byerly Birge today announced that James Smith, 42, and Patrick Donald Martin, 27, both of Kalamazoo County, were sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in the distribution of controlled substances in April 2023 that resulted in numerous fentanyl poisonings in Kalamazoo County, at least seven fatal, and numerous others non-fatal. Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, and Martin was sentenced to 4 years in prison for use of a communication facility to commit conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death.
“The distribution of fentanyl continues to take lives and destroy our communities and families,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Birge. “The sentences imposed on the defendants in this case reflect the seriousness of their crimes. Our office will continue to support these investigations and prosecute these cases to seek accountability and justice for the victims.”
According to court records, on April 12 and continuing into April 13, 2023, law enforcement responded to numerous drug poisonings in the Kalamazoo area, which resulted in multiple hospital admissions and fatalities. Investigators traced the deadly substance back to Martin, and ultimately, to Smith, both of whom thought they were selling cocaine, when they were in fact selling a substance that contained fentanyl.
During sentencing, Chief U.S. District Judge Hala Y. Jarbou remarked that drug dealing is inherently dangerous regardless of what the dealer thinks he is selling, especially today, when most drugs “have fentanyl in it—it’s just that prevalent.” In sentencing Smith, Judge Jarbou found it “inexplicable” that Smith continued to sell drugs months after he became aware of the mass poisoning in April 2023 that was caused, at least in part, by his drug dealing. “That tells me the consequences of your actions did not deter you,” said Judge Jarbou before imposing the 20-year sentence on Smith.
“April 13, 2023, was a sad day in Kalamazoo County,” said Captain Mike Ferguson, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team/Crime Reduction Team. “We extend our condolences to the families who were deeply affected by this tragedy. Hopefully, these sentences will allow some closure to those involved. Additionally, this should send a message to drug dealers who continue to peddle deadly drugs in our community.”
“While these sentences cannot undo the tragic loss of life we witnessed in Kalamazoo in 2023, it sends a message that we will employ every resource to make sure those responsible for drug-related deaths face the consequences for their actions,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division Andrew Lawton.
The following services are available for people experiencing substance use disorder, or for their friends or loved ones:
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Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline, 1-800-662-4357, www.samhsa.gov/find-support/in-crisis
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Cope Network (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Barry, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, St. Joseph, and Van Buren Counties), 269-580-8290, www.copenetwork.org
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The Grand Rapid Red Project (providing free Naloxone and other harm reduction services in Kent and Muskegon Counties), 616-456-9063 (Kent County), 231-563-6865 (Muskegon County), www.redproject.org
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has a webpage that identifies county-by-county services.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, the Portage Department of Public Safety, and the Michigan State Police.
