Fentanyl-Related Death Leads to Murder Conviction in Collin County
A Collin County jury sentenced a Dallas man to 38 years for murder after being convicted in the 2023 death of a young woman who bought fentanyl from him nearly two years ago. It marks the first time the county district attorney’s office has succeeded in winning a jury verdict based on a new Texas law that classifies some fentanyl-related deaths as murder.
A jury handed down its verdict about two weeks ago, finding that Gregory Honesty, 27, was responsible for the death in 2023 of a 25-year-old Blue Ridge woman.
Statement from the District Attorney
“This case puts fentanyl dealers on notice,” said the county’s district attorney, Greg Willis, in a statement announcing the sentence.
“While no sentence can bring this promising young woman back, this conviction sends a clear message: if you deal fentanyl and someone dies, you will be prosecuted for murder,” Willis said.
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Previous Fentanyl-Related Cases
In May, a woman was sentenced to 25 years in prison for a fentanyl-related murder in Collin County. Ciana Armour pleaded guilty to the offense, DA spokesperson Bill Wirskye said. Honesty is the first to go to trial and be found guilty by a Collin County jury.
The Incident and Investigation
Ahead of Honesty’s sentencing, the jury heard evidence that he had been dealing drugs since 2017.
The Collin County sheriff’s office responded to an overdose call on Nov. 19, 2023, and found a young woman unresponsive despite multiple doses of Narcan. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Drug paraphernalia and fentanyl pills were found at the scene, the district attorney’s release said.
The New Fentanyl Law
The new fentanyl law went into effect on Sept. 1, 2023, just a few months before the Blue Ridge woman’s death. The law, House Bill 6, reclassified fentanyl overdoses as “poisonings” and allowed prosecutors to bring murder charges against people who deliver fentanyl that leads to death.
Conclusion
The conviction of Gregory Honesty serves as a warning to those who deal fentanyl and other illicit substances. The new Texas law and its application in this case demonstrate a commitment to holding individuals accountable for their role in overdose deaths. As the opioid crisis continues to affect communities across the country, such legal actions may become more common, aiming to deter the distribution of deadly drugs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the new Texas law regarding fentanyl?
The new Texas law, House Bill 6, reclassifies fentanyl overdoses as “poisonings” and allows prosecutors to bring murder charges against individuals who deliver fentanyl that leads to death.
What were the circumstances of the case that led to Gregory Honesty’s conviction?
Gregory Honesty was convicted of murder after a jury found him responsible for the death of a 25-year-old woman who bought fentanyl from him in 2023. The woman was found unresponsive despite multiple doses of Narcan and was pronounced dead at the scene, with drug paraphernalia and fentanyl pills found nearby.
Is this the first time someone has been convicted of murder related to a fentanyl overdose in Collin County?
While not the first fentanyl-related case in Collin County, Gregory Honesty’s conviction is notable as the first to go to trial and result in a guilty verdict by a jury under the new Texas law. Previously, a woman named Ciana Armour pleaded guilty to a fentanyl-related murder and was sentenced to 25 years in prison.
