2 Michigan men sentenced in deadly mass fentanyl poisoning

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Two men from Kalamazoo will spend years in federal prison for distributing narcotics that killed at least seven people in 2023.

According to authorities, police in Kalamazoo received multiple 911 calls regarding overdoses April 12-13, 2023, which resulted in hospitalizations and deaths.

Police said they traded the drugs back to 27-year-old Patrick Donald Martin and 42-year-old James Smith. The two reportedly thought they were selling cocaine when they were selling something that had fentanyl in it. Smith reportedly continued to sell drugs for months after he became aware of the mass poisoning in April 2023, in which he played a role.

Martin was sentenced to four years in prison for use of a communication facility to commit conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death, while Smith was sentenced to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute controlled substances resulting in death.