A Detroit man, Melvin Lamar Triplett, has been sentenced to 23 years in federal prison for his involvement in a drug conspiracy that led to multiple overdoses. Acting United States Attorney Julie A. Beck announced the sentencing, joined by Andrew Lawton, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Detroit Field Division.
Triplett, aged 43, was found guilty by a jury in September 2024 after a two-week trial. He was convicted of distributing crack cocaine and fentanyl, which resulted in the overdose deaths of two individuals and one non-fatal overdose. Additionally, he was involved in a multi-month drug trafficking conspiracy leading up to these distributions. Evidence presented at the trial indicated that Triplett led a drug trafficking operation with an established customer base. In November 2022, he distributed fentanyl-laced crack cocaine causing several overdoses. DEA investigators traced these drugs back to Triplett, who had prior convictions for drug offenses.
Acting United States Attorney Julie Beck stated, "Our office will vigorously pursue drug traffickers who push dangerous drugs like fentanyl and crack cocaine into our communities with indifference to the tragedy it inflicts. Thanks to the outstanding teamwork of the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Attorney’s Office, and multiple local police departments, a dangerous drug trafficker has been removed from our streets."
DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Lawton commented on the case saying, "Two people lost their lives due to Mr. Triplett’s criminal activity and sentencing is a testament to the hard work DEA and our outstanding law enforcement partners put into this investigation. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who deal drugs and cause death in our community."
The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration with assistance from local police departments including Dearborn Heights Police Department, Livonia Police Department, and Garden City Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Caitlin Casey and Eaton Brown.