PITTSBURGH
A former Youngstown, Ohio, man has been sentenced to 40 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose and for leading a multi-state drug trafficking operation involving fentanyl, fluorofentanyl, and cocaine, federal prosecutors announced last week.
Senior U.S. District Judge Arthur J. Schwab sentenced Eliot Gentry, 28, who previously pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl resulting in death and to conspiring to traffic major quantities of controlled substances between May 2021 and October 2022.
After serving his prison term, Gentry must complete five years of supervised release.
According to prosecutors, Gentry—who had prior convictions for violent and drug-related offenses—ran a large-scale distribution network spanning Mercer and Lawrence counties in Pennsylvania and Youngstown, Ohio.
Authorities stated the conspiracy involved at least 400 grams of fentanyl, 100 grams of fluorofentanyl, and five kilograms of cocaine.
Federal officials said Gentry’s drug operation was linked to the overdose death of an individual in Western Pennsylvania on January 23, 2022.
Investigators told the court that Gentry recruited multiple dealers, including juveniles, and operated “traphouses” in Mercer County.
Those properties, along with his residence, were stocked with drugs and firearms used to intimidate competitors and enforce payments, prosecutors stated.
Authorities also revealed that Gentry continued directing drug activities even while incarcerated during 2022, and he engaged in further misconduct after his federal indictment.
While detained, he was repeatedly disciplined for possessing contraband, including drugs and a weapon.