A Clarkstown man has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to six poisonings, including three fatal overdoses. The sentencing follows an extensive investigation by the Rockland County District Attorney’s Office Drug Task Force, the Clarkstown Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern handed down the sentence to Justin Turnick, 26, of Congers, NY, who previously pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute fentanyl. As part of his plea agreement, Turnick took responsibility for distributing the lethal opioid, which resulted in the deaths of three individuals and caused three additional non-fatal overdoses between February 2020 and April 2022 in Rockland County.
Court documents and federal indictments detail Turnick’s extensive drug distribution network, where he regularly supplied fentanyl-laced substances to acquaintances, friends, and partners. His actions resulted in multiple overdoses.
On February 3, 2020, Gustaf Olsen, 19, died after consuming fentanyl distributed by Turnick. On July 11, 2020, Jonathan Shashoua, 22, also died from fentanyl poisoning linked to Turnick. On January 5, 2021, an 18-year-old woman suffered a non-fatal overdose from fentanyl obtained from Turnick.
In another case, on July 30, 2021, Ione Koenig survived a non-fatal overdose from fentanyl supplied by Turnick. However, the next day, on July 31, 2021, Koenig, 18, fatally overdosed on fentanyl she had received from Turnick. The final known incident occurred on April 19, 2022, when a 23-year-old man survived a non-fatal fentanyl poisoning traced back to Turnick.
In addition to the 21-year prison sentence, Turnick was sentenced to five years of supervised release.
“Today’s sentencing reflects the commitment of the DEA and our law enforcement partners to targeting individuals who are poisoning our communities,” said DEA New York Division Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino. “Fentanyl is a lethal drug, and dealers knowingly distribute it despite the harm it causes—including death. While we can never bring back those lives lost due to Mr. Turnick’s reckless actions, the DEA will continue to bring those responsible for this deadly distribution to justice.”
Rockland County District Attorney Tom Walsh echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the devastating impact of Turnick’s crimes.
“The defendant’s actions resulted in the deaths of three individuals and harmed countless others. My office remains committed to keeping fentanyl and illegal narcotics off our streets and ensuring the safety of our residents. I commend the exceptional work of the Rockland County DA’s Office Drug Task Force, the Clarkstown Police Department, the DEA, and federal prosecutors from the Southern District of New York in holding the defendant accountable.”
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock. Information was provided by the Southern District of New York.