50°
A grand jury has returned an indictment charging Jeanluc Joiles, 36, and Jaime Rosario, Jr., with participating in a conspiracy to traffic methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine, and Rosario is charged with possessing firearms in connection with a drug trafficking offense.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said that on June 20, Rachel Spiteri was found dead in her Manhattan apartment.
The investigation into her overdose by the NYPD and DEA determined that Joiles was the alleged dealer who sold Spiteri what she believed to be oxycodone pills, but actually contained fentanyl and acetyfentanyl.
Following her death, investigators made multiple purchases of drugs from Joiles and Rosario, including fentanyl pills they claimed were oxycodone; and methamphetamine that was sold as cocaine.
On Wednesday, Oct. 16, police investigators executed a search warrant at Rosario’s apartment and recovered more than 500 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine and illegal weapons.
“As alleged, Jeanluc Joiles sold the drugs that killed a young woman. He and co-defendant Jaime Rosario Jr. allegedly conspired to traffic in a variety of potentially lethal drugs, and Rosario allegedly possessed guns in connection with that trafficking,” Berman said. "The potential penalties for these alleged crimes befit the seriousness of the allegations.”
Joiles and Rosario were both charged with conspiracy to deal narcotics, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if they are convicted. Joiles was also charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and Rosario was charged with a firearms offense.
“Earlier this month, DEA issued a national alert on counterfeit pill trafficking across America and how fatal overdoses follow its path,” DEA Special Agent-in-Charge Raymond Donovan said. “Reiterating the warning, counterfeit pills threaten New York because they mimic legitimate prescription medication, but contain unregulated amounts of fentanyl.”
Click here to follow Daily Voice Massapequa and receive free news updates.
