Russell Defreitas, 55, was sentenced to 53 years in prison for leading a cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation that caused two deaths from overdoses. District Attorney Ray Tierney emphasized the need for stronger legislation, like Chelsey's Law, to enable prosecutions for overdose deaths as homicides. The law aims to allow drug dealers to be charged with manslaughter for selling deadly drugs. Prosecutors revealed that Defreitas attempted to cover up an overdose incident, further emphasizing the dangers of drug trafficking in the community.
Defreitas' sentencing highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation in New York, like Chelsey's Law, which would give prosecutors more tools to hold dealers accountable.
This defendant's actions led to two overdose fatalities, yet our current laws don't allow us to charge these preventable deaths as the homicides that they are.
The law would allow prosecutors to charge a drug dealer with manslaughter for knowingly selling a drug that causes a death from overdose.
Defreitas directed his associates not to call 911 after the overdose, removing evidence instead and going to eat at a nearby Wendy's.
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