In a federal court in Austin, three individuals were sentenced for their involvement in the distribution of fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose. David Lee Jr., 46, of Austin, Virginia Zepeda, 43, of Austin, and Jackie Lynne Chester, 37, of Taylor, were identified as suppliers of counterfeit oxycodone tablets and other counterfeit prescription pills during the investigation into the death of an 18-year-old male from Coupland.

Court documents revealed that video surveillance captured the victim engaging in a hand-to-hand exchange with Chester through the window of Lee's vehicle at a gas station. Subsequently, four and a half tablets of counterfeit oxycodone were found at the victim's residence after his death. The investigation, including controlled buys by Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, indicated that Lee and Zepeda continued distributing fentanyl in the form of counterfeit oxycodone after the victim's demise.

As a consequence, David Lee Jr. received a 240-month prison sentence, Virginia Zepeda was sentenced to 135 months, and Jackie Lynne Chester received a 108-month prison term.

U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza for the Western District of Texas expressed, "These drug dealers knowingly sold several counterfeit pills, each containing incredibly lethal doses of fentanyl, to an unsuspecting victim, tragically leading to the poisoning and death of an 18-year-old." Esparza commended local and federal law enforcement partners for ensuring that the three individuals would be off the streets for decades.

DEA Houston Division's Special Agent in Charge, Daniel C. Comeaux, emphasized the grave consequences of selling fake fentanyl pills driven by greed, stating, "Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat facing our country today, and it takes just a small amount to take someone’s precious life away." Sheriff Mike Gleason of the Williamson County Sheriff's Office highlighted the commitment to arresting and prosecuting fentanyl dealers to the fullest extent of the law, particularly given the increasing cases of fentanyl poisonings in central Texas.

The investigation was conducted jointly by the DEA, Williamson County Sheriff’s Office, and Guadalupe County Sheriff’s Office.