United States Drug Enforcement Administration

EL PASO, Texas – An El Paso man was sentenced today to 293 months in federal prison for his role in two deaths resulting from a fentanyl-laced cocaine overdose in November 2017.

On February 24, 2022, Paris Lamont Dennis, 39, pleaded guilty to one count of distribution of a controlled substance, causing serious bodily injury. According to court documents, on or about November 18, 2017, Dennis distributed cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled Substance, which resulted in the death of two individuals. Dennis, a known drug dealer, found the victims unresponsive after giving them a usable amount of cocaine, which was later discovered to be laced with fentanyl. The Medical Examiner reported that the victims died from accidental overdose with toxic levels of cocaine and fentanyl in their systems.

“The drugs Dennis distributed killed two young El Pasoans, and today he learned his punishment,” said Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge Greg Millard, El Paso Division. “Others who insist on peddling drugs to members of the community should take notice. DEA will leverage all resources to investigate, and we will not rest until all those responsible are brought to justice, however long it takes.”

“Drug overdose deaths are at a record high,” said Ashley C. Hoff, United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas. “Our office will continue to pursue and hold accountable those responsible for distributing controlled substances resulting in injuries and deaths.”

This case was investigated by the DEA’s El Paso Division and the El Paso Police Department.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Countryman prosecuted the case.