Rochester Man Tied to Fatal Overdose Returns to Prison

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man who served a prison sentence for a conviction stemming from a fatal drug overdose is headed back to prison.

Previously Linked to Fatal Heroin Overdose

Fifty-nine-year-old Demetrious Deal was given a nearly five-year prison sentence today in Olmsted County Court for a second-degree drug possession conviction. He earlier admitted to the charge through a plea agreement that resulted in the dismissal of a first-degree drug sales charge, along with first- and fifth-degree drug possession charges.

Police Observed Drug Sales in Downtown Rochester

According to the charges against Deal, his conviction was the result of a narcotics investigation by Rochester police. The criminal complaint says the investigation began when law enforcement observed suspected drug sale activity in downtown Rochester.

Drugs Found After Traffic Stop

The court document says that led to a traffic stop that was initiated because of a malfunctioning brake light. The officer reported observing signs of impairment, and Deal admitted using crack cocaine about two hours earlier and fentanyl the previous night.

A search of Deal's clothing led to the discovery of a small amount of cocaine and fentanyl, but a larger quantity of drugs was located following his arrest and during his processing into the Olmsted County jail. The criminal complaint says he was found to be in possession of a baggie containing 28 grams of fentanyl.

8 Year Sentence in Fatal Overdose Case

Olmsted County court records show that Deal was ordered to serve an eight-year prison sentence in 2015 after he pleaded guilty to a second-degree drug charge. That conviction was part of a plea agreement that resulted in the dismissal of a third-degree murder charge and two other felony drug charges.

In that case, Deal was accused of selling heroin to a 39-year-old man who died of a drug overdose in May 2014.