DOJ secures sentencing for fatal drug dealing

A Newark man has been sentenced for his involvement in two drug distribution cases, one of which was linked to a fatality.

On August 29, 2025, Naquan Watson, 27, was sentenced to 4 years or prison time followed by descending levels of probation for two counts of Manufacture/Deliver/Possession with Intent to Deliver, a class D felony.

"It is breathtakingly callous that, even after Watson's actions cost someone their life, he decided to keep on gambling with the lives of others," said Attorney General Kathy Jennings. "This sentencing makes one thing very clear: if you sign up to become a foot soldier of the opioid epidemic, we will come at you with everything we've got."

Watson was initially arrested in July 2024 on drug charges when a 50-year-old woman was found deceased by her mother. Upon searching the woman's text messages, investigators discovered multiple texts between her and Watson (who used the alias "CHOW") and determined that he had been delivering fentanyl and heroin to her.