Tampa Woman Pleads Guilty To Distributing Heroin And Fentanyl, Causing Death

 Tampa, Florida – Joamary Rosario (30, Tampa) today pleaded guilty to knowingly and intentionally distributing a substance containing a mixture of heroin, acetyl fentanyl, and fentanyl to an individual who died as a result of using the substance. Rosario faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 20 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, on November 6, 2018, G.S. contacted Rosario, his regular drug dealer, and ordered 10 bags of heroin. Rosario agreed and a few hours later, she and her supplier delivered to G.S. at his hotel 10 bags of a mixture of heroin, acetyl fentanyl, and fentanyl. That night, G.S. used one bag of the drug mixture and died by overdose. The next day, G.S.’s friend discovered his body and called 911.

Law enforcement officers found the unused bags of drugs in G.S.’s hotel room, along with his cellphones. The officers discovered G.S.’s drug-related text messages with Rosario on one of the phones. Posing as G.S., the officers ordered more of the same drugs from Rosario. A few hours later, Rosario arrived at the hotel as planned and was arrested. Rosario had in her possession several bags of drugs, each containing heroin, acetyl fentanyl, and fentanyl mixed in the exact same proportions as the bags of drugs that Rosario had sold to G.S. the night before.

This case was investigated by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael M. Gordon.