United States Drug Enforcement Administration

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - A Kansas woman was sentenced today to 12 years in federal prison after a hearing in which prosecutors said she sold heroin laced with fentanyl, while ignoring overdoses among buyers in Leavenworth.

Amber L. Juarez, 37, Leavenworth, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl. Juarez sold heroin on three separate occasions to a confidential informant. The heroin from two of the three purchases was mixed with fentanyl.

The investigation revealed Juarez sold more than a kilogram of heroin over the course of approximately five months.

At a sentencing hearing Monday, prosecutors argued that Juarez knew buyers were overdosing, but continued to sell heroin.

The Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division, Kansas City District Office, investigated the case, along with the Leavenworth Police Department and the Leavenworth County Sheriff’s Office.