Judge sentences West Babylon man to 16½ years for fatal fentanyl OD

A federal judge in Central Islip sentenced a West Babylon man to 16½ years in prison Tuesday for distributing fentanyl-laced heroin that led to the 2020 overdose death of a Massapequa woman.

Donta Riddick, 35, had pleaded guilty to possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute on Jan. 28. 

“You get to go home in some time,” U.S. District Judge Gary R. Brown told Riddick after sentencing him to 198 months. “The victim does not.”

Prosecutors said Riddick sold heroin laced with fentanyl to the 21-year-old woman on Sept. 13, 2020. She was found dead about 3 a.m. the following day in a Massapequa motel, according to court records. Her boyfriend told authorities that she had injected heroin on Sept. 13.

The victim’s cellphone had text messages she exchanged with Riddick in which she appeared to be ordering drugs, according to prosecutors.

When U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agents and Nassau Police arrested Riddick on Sept. 15, 2020, he had fentanyl-laced heroin in his possession, according to court documents.

The victim is not named in court papers. Her aunt, Charmaine DeRosa of Smithtown, said her first name was Brittany but declined to provide a last name. DeRosa said Riddick’s mother, who was in court with his father and other relatives, apologized for the death of her niece before the defendant was sentenced.

“Mr. Riddick, I don’t have much to say to you except you ruined and took a beautiful soul that we loved,” DeRosa told the defendant in court in a victim-impact statement. “I’m sure this is not what your mom planned for you, either, when you were in her arms. Brittany doesn’t have a second chance, however, you do. I feel taking you off the streets — if one person is saved, it's worth it. Use your time well." 

Riddick apologized to the dead woman’s family and to his own relatives for everything he put them through. He said he would use his time in prison to become a better man.

“I know I can’t change overnight," he said, "but I can change over time."

Riddick’s relatives and his attorney, Marissa Sherman of the Federal Defenders of New York, declined to comment after he was sentenced. 

DeRosa described Brittany as a “smart, beautiful girl who had so many things going for her. She did well in school, lots of friends, just a nice young lady and her life was cut short.” 

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid the DEA says is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. It has been linked to most of the fatal overdoses on Long Island in recent years. 

“Fentanyl is the deadliest drug to ever hit our streets and responsible for nearly 70% of nationwide drug-related deaths,” DEA Special Agent in Charge Frank Tarentino said in a statement. “DEA and our law enforcement partners are doubling down on defeating drug trafficking networks and bringing to justice those responsible for taking lives.”