Humble resident arrested in connection to fatal fentanyl overdose

Press Release

HOUSTON - A 22-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection to the fentanyl overdose death of a Houston resident, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Law enforcement arrested Cole Martin Millsap Oct. 23. He is set to make his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo at 2 p.m.

"The victim in this case had just completed rehabilitation before allegedly receiving the fatal dose," said Hamdani. "Time and time again, Millsap had the chance to change his ways; however, he allegedly continued to sell fentanyl while on bond. Alleged poison peddlers who think they're getting away with plaguing our communities have no place to hide."

According to court documents, Millsap allegedly sold drugs to the victim multiple times. A forensic examination of the victim's phone allegedly revealed text message conversations between Millsap and the victim discussing the purchase of illegal narcotics.

On April 22, law enforcement discovered the victim deceased at his residence following a welfare check, just three days after his last message to Millsap, according to the charges. The criminal complaint alleges an autopsy later confirmed that fentanyl toxicity caused the victim's death.

At the time, Millsap was allegedly on felony bond with a condition that he wear a GPS monitoring device. Millsap's GPS coordinate allegedly corroborate the delivery described in the text messages.

Through a cell phone number in the victims' phone allegedly labeled as "COLE WORLD," law enforcement identified Millsap as the alleged fentanyl dealer responsible for the overdose death.

On Aug. 29, Millsap allegedly arranged the sale of 0.4 grams of powder fentanyl for $40 to a member of law enforcement as part of an undercover investigation.

On Sept. 4, Millsap sold 3.55 kilograms of powder fentanyl and 3.9 grams of heroin in plastic baggies to an undercover member of law enforcement for $530, according to the charges.

Again, on Oct. 3, Millsap allegedly sold 105.4 grams of fentanyl powder for $3,470.

If convicted, Millsap faces up to life in prison and a possible $5 million maximum fine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration's Fentanyl/Overdose Task Force conducted the investigation with the assistance of the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff's Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Tallichet is prosecuting the case.

A criminal complaint is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.

Updated October 24, 2024