After a thorough investigation spanning several months, the Clarkstown Police Anti-Crime Unit, in collaboration with the RC Drug Task Force, the DEA Westchester Resident Office Task Force, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, has announced the guilty plea of Justin Turnick, a Rockland County man involved in the distribution of fentanyl. This dangerous drug resulted in six poisonings, including three fatalities, between 2020 and 2022.
Justin Turnick, 25, of Congers, New York, admitted guilt to charges of conspiring to distribute fentanyl, a powerful opioid that has devastated communities across the country. His distribution led to the deaths of three individuals and the serious poisoning of three others. Turnick’s guilty plea was entered before U.S. District Judge Philip M. Halpern.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized the gravity of Turnick’s crimes, stating, “Justin Turnick’s actions didn’t just facilitate addiction—they fueled a crisis that claimed lives and inflicted unimaginable suffering. As we move forward, this Office remains resolute in its mission to combat the fentanyl epidemic and seek justice for the families and individuals affected by these deadly substances.”
The investigation revealed that Turnick distributed fentanyl in various forms, including pills, pure fentanyl, and fentanyl-laced powder, to individuals in Rockland County. Among the victims were Gustaf Olsen, Jonathan Shashoua, and Ione Koenig, all of whom lost their lives due to fentanyl poisoning. Turnick also supplied fentanyl to other victims, resulting in serious injuries.
Turnick’s guilty plea carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years. His sentencing will be determined by a judge, with the final decision based on federal guidelines.
The successful prosecution of this case was made possible through the coordinated efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Clarkstown Police Department, the Rockland County Sheriff’s Office, the DEA, and several local police departments. U.S. Attorney Williams praised these agencies for their diligent work in bringing Turnick to justice.
The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s White Plains Division, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ryan W. Allison and Kathryn Wheelock leading the prosecution.