Manhattan Man Charged With Trafficking Fentanyl That Killed A Victim

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Northeast Regional Associate Chief of Operations of the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), Frank A. Tarentino III, and Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), Jessica S. Tisch, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging ADAM SLOAN, a/k/a "Slug," with distribution of narcotics resulting in death in connection with the July 15, 2025, fentanyl overdose death of a resident of New York, New York. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Lewis A. Kaplan.

"As alleged, Adam Sloan sold fentanyl to a victim in Manhattan, causing his death," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Fentanyl is an extraordinarily dangerous drug that has no place in the streets of New York. When drug dealers sell fentanyl, the cost is paid in human lives. Together with the DEA, the NYPD, and our other law enforcement partners, the women and men of the SDNY will fight for these victims and hold killers accountable."

"While fentanyl remains the greatest drug threat this nation has ever faced, the greatest danger comes from the individuals who continue to push this poison into our communities," said DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. "Today's indictment sends a clear message to those threatening our families. We will find you; and we will bring you to justice. The DEA remains relentless in ensuring justice is delivered to the families who have lost loved ones to this drug epidemic."

"The defendant showed zero regard for life when he allegedly sold a lethal amount of fentanyl to a New Yorker who was trying to turn his life around-and now a family is left grieving that loss," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "We know how dangerous even the smallest trace of this poison can be, and we will continue to hold accountable any drug peddler who carelessly puts our communities at risk. I thank our NYPD investigators, our partners at the DEA, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their continued commitment to keeping our streets safe."

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and statements made in public court proceedings:

On July 15, 2025, SLOAN sold fentanyl to a Manhattan man, killing him.

This was not the victim's first overdose. In October 2024, after suffering a nonfatal overdose, the victim tried to turn his life around by entering inpatient drug treatment and keeping handwritten notes to try to avoid relapse.

When the victim ultimately relapsed, however, SLOAN was ready and willing to sell fentanyl to the victim. On the evening of July 15, 2025, the victim and the defendant arranged to meet. Surveillance video footage likewise shows that the victim and the defendant left their respective homes, walked towards one another for the meeting, and then returned to their respective homes. After consuming the fentanyl that SLOAN had sold him, the victim suffered a fatal overdose.

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SLOAN, 44, of New York, New York, is charged with one count of distribution of narcotics resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The minimum and maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the DEA and NYPD.

This case is being handled by the Office's Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Mandilk is in charge of the prosecution.

The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.