Federal authorities sentence Fort Worth couple for trafficking deadly fentanyl pills linked to overdoses
Fort Worth, Texas – A Fort Worth couple has been sentenced to a combined 51 years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl, leading to two fatal overdoses. U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas, Leigha Simonton, announced the sentencing of Edward Taylor, 42, and Tierrah “TT” Andrews, 29, who both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl in May 2024. U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman sentenced Taylor to 27 years in federal prison, while Andrews received just over 24 years.
Fentanyl Trafficking and Its Deadly Consequences
The couple’s criminal activities centered on distributing fentanyl and cocaine from a motel and an apartment in Fort Worth’s Las Vegas Trail neighborhood. Surveillance footage captured the tragic outcome of one such drug transaction. On November 2, 2023, a 45-year-old man, identified as T.M., was seen entering and leaving Taylor’s motel room. Later that day, his mother discovered him dead in his bedroom, next to a crushed M-30 pill containing fentanyl. Additional fentanyl-laced pills were found in a nicotine box nearby.
Just three months later, on January 26, 2024, a 21-year-old man, K.S., contacted Andrews requesting “rocks n blues,” slang for crack cocaine and fentanyl pills. Records showed that K.S. traveled via rideshare to Andrews’ apartment, where he paid her $77 through CashApp. Later that same day, his sister found him dead, surrounded by blue M-30 pills, white powder, and a glass pipe.
“These drug traffickers callously disregarded the risks of the drugs they were selling, and as a result, two people died,” said U.S. Attorney Simonton. “Fentanyl does not discriminate—it takes the lives of both first-time users and long-term addicts. The Justice Department will continue working to hold fentanyl traffickers accountable for the devastation they cause.”
Investigation Reveals Widespread Trafficking
Authorities became aware of Taylor and Andrews’ illegal operations after receiving tips from multiple sources. One informant provided Andrews’ phone number and Taylor’s CashApp account, confirming that the couple sold crack cocaine and fentanyl pills over an extended period. Another source revealed that Taylor and Andrews often kept large quantities of fentanyl pills in plain sight.
On January 27, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Andrews’ apartment. Officers seized 270 blue M-30 pills, cocaine, methamphetamine, a drug ledger, 50 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and a ghost gun loaded with 13 rounds. Andrews admitted to officers that she carried the firearm “so no one does anything to me” and said Taylor supplied her with the drugs she sold.
In a controlled buy on February 29, 2024, undercover agents purchased 6.28 grams of fentanyl-laced M-30 pills from Andrews at her apartment for $275. During the transaction, Taylor was present, questioning Andrews as she prepared the drugs. The couple was arrested a week later with more fentanyl pills and firearms in their possession, despite being prohibited from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions.
Sentencing and Law Enforcement’s Response
Both Taylor and Andrews confessed to selling drugs to the overdose victims, T.M. and K.S., when confronted with photos of the deceased. Autopsies confirmed that both men died from fatal fentanyl overdoses.
Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II of the ATF Dallas Field Division commented on the significance of the sentencing. “Although today’s sentencings will provide little solace to the families of those lost to the fentanyl scourge, it is a promising triumph in law enforcement’s fight against its vile spread,” he said. Boshek emphasized the importance of collaboration between local law enforcement, the ATF, and the DEA in combating the distribution of fentanyl and illegal firearms, noting that the arrests highlight the success of joint efforts in preventing further harm to the community.
Law Enforcement Partnerships and Ongoing Efforts
The investigation was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Dallas Field Division – Fort Worth Resident Agency, as part of the Fort Worth Violent Crime Initiative. Local partners, including the Fort Worth Police Department and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office, provided essential support throughout the investigation. The agencies’ coordinated efforts ensured the disruption of the couple’s drug trafficking operations before further tragedies occurred.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas, who prosecuted the case, highlighted the significance of holding drug traffickers accountable for contributing to the opioid crisis. “Together with our local partners and the DEA, we are committed to putting the bad actors poisoning our streets with fentanyl and carrying firearms in prison through any means necessary,” Boshek added.
The conviction and sentencing of Taylor and Andrews underscore law enforcement’s commitment to curbing the spread of fentanyl and ensuring that individuals involved in illegal narcotics trafficking face severe consequences.
A Step Forward Amid the Ongoing Crisis
While the sentencing offers some closure, the loss of T.M. and K.S. serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and other illicit drugs. As communities across the United States continue to grapple with the opioid epidemic, cases like this highlight the importance of relentless efforts by law enforcement agencies to disrupt drug trafficking networks and hold offenders accountable.
The joint investigation and prosecution reflect the dedication of federal and local agencies to safeguarding the public from the dangers of drug trafficking and firearms-related offenses. The justice served in this case aims to deter others from engaging in similar activities while sending a strong message that law enforcement will not tolerate the distribution of lethal substances like fentanyl.
As fentanyl continues to plague communities nationwide, this case demonstrates the vital importance of collaboration and vigilance in combating the spread of this dangerous drug.