When someone dies as a result of someone else’s actions, the person who caused the death is normally held accountable. In the past, drug-related deaths weren’t always treated that way, but they are today. If you give someone drugs, you could be held accountable if that person dies or suffers injuries as a result.
That’s what happened in this case in Cleveland. Investigators looking into a woman’s fatal overdose have linked her death to a prostitution ring in Cleveland Heights. According to a news report from March 29, a 32-year-old man was arrested in relation to the woman’s death after being accused of running a prostitution ring and giving the woman a fatal overdose of drugs.
The man was indicted by a grand jury in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court for trafficking in fentanyl and molly, promoting prostitution, involuntary manslaughter and human trafficking. Two others, a 20-year-old woman and 25-year-old man, are also being charged with human trafficking along with promoting prostitution.
The investigation into this possible prostitution ring began when an 18-year-old woman was taken to University Hospitals. She overdosed and was found to have carfentanil and cocaine in her system. By identifying the vehicle’s license plates, the investigators were able to track it to the 32-year-old man accused of giving her the drugs. After obtaining a search warrant, the police reported finding molly, a gun and fentanyl in the man’s home.
A strong defense is important for people who find themselves accused of causing another person’s death. The law needs to be fair, and others can’t jump to conclusions about the cause of death.
Source: Cleveland.com, “Investigators track woman’s fatal overdose to Cleveland Heights prostitution ring,” Cory Shaffer, March 31, 2018