Arrests Made in Southern Minnesota Juvenile Fentanyl Overdoses
Update: 2-1 10 a.m. Mankato, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities in southern Minnesota made three arrests in connection with the suspected fentanyl overdoses of three juveniles.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office says the Mankato Department of Public Safety used Narcan when they responded to three separate incidents that involved a juvenile overdosing on fentanyl on Tuesday. One juvenile remains hospitalized in critical condition, another was hospitalized then released and a third did not require hospitalization.
An update from the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office identified the three people arrested in connection to the suspected overdoses as 31-year-old Patrick Orerigho Isiakpere Jr., 26-year-old Damarcus Deontay Holloway, and 35-year-old Tia Renee Schwichtenberg. All of the suspects reside in the Mankato area.
Agents with the Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force began investigating how the juveniles obtained the fentanyl-laced counterfeit painkillers that led to their overdoses and made the arrests around 5 p.m. Tuesday. Officials executed a search warrant at the residence of the arrests and reported discovering 377 M30 Pills, 2 firearms, cocaine, crack cocaine, and marijuana.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office says Isiakpere is facing charges for drug sales and firearm possession as the result of a previous investigation. He was released from custody last December. Holloway was released from jail on January 23 and has prior convictions for drug possession and inalienable possession of a firearm.
Authorities are requesting Holloway, Isiakpere and Schwichtenberg face the following charges:
- 2nd degree drug sales
- 3rd degree drug possession
- Felon possessing a firearm
- Great bodily harm caused by distribution of drugs
Officials say the use of counterfeit M30 Oxycodone pills that were laced with fentanyl are believed to have caused the suspected drug overdoses. Authorities called the pills life-threatening and say two milligrams of fentanyl, which is the equivalent of a few grains of salt, can be fatal.
Previous version: Mankato, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities in southern Minnesota are investigating suspected drug overdoses involving juveniles.
The Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office says the Mankato Department of Public Safety responded to three overdose calls involving juveniles on Tuesday. The victims had been reported to have used or been exposed to substances capable of causing opioid-related overdose symptoms.
Responding officers administered Narcan. Two of the victims were brought to a hospital for further treatment. The third victim was not hospitalized. The condition of the three juveniles is unknown as of Tuesday evening, according to a news release from the Blue Earth County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials say the use of counterfeit M30 Oxycodone pills that were laced with fentanyl are believed to have caused the suspected drug overdoses. Authorities called the pills life-threatening and say two milligrams of fentanyl, which is the equivalent of a few grains of salt, can be fatal.
The Minnesota River Valley Drug Task Force and Mankato Department of Public Safety are investigating the suspected drug overdoses.
If you or someone you know if struggling with drug and/or alcohol dependence, help is available through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website. To speak to someone on the phone, dial 1-800-622-HELP (1-800-622-4357) or send a text message to 1-800-487-4889.
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