Saratoga Springs Man Indicted For Fentanyl Overdose Death
Charged with possessing firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime
ALBANY, N.Y. - Steven M. Boice, 28, of Saratoga Springs, New York, was indicted today on a charge of distributing fentanyl that caused an overdose death in Saratoga County in February 2017.
The announcement was made by Special Agent in Charge James J. Hunt, New York Division, U.S. Drug Enforcement (DEA); United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith; and Saratoga Springs Police Department Chief Gregory Veitch.
According to the indictment, on February 3, 2017, Boice distributed furanyl fentanyl to a person with the initials B.L., who died from ingesting that furanyl fentanyl.
Boice also faces charges of possessing two firearms - a DPMS Panther Arms semi-automatic rifle and a Mossberg Maverick shotgun - in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, as well as possession with intent to distribute furanyl fentanyl. Furanyl fentanyl is a fentanyl analogue that the DEA Administrator listed as a Schedule I controlled substance in November 2016.
The charges in the indictment are merely accusations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
If convicted of all charges, Boice faces at least 25 years and up to life in prison, as well as post-imprisonment supervised release of at least three years and up to life. A defendant’s sentence is imposed by a judge based on the particular statute the defendant is charged with violating, the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
Boice will be arraigned at a later date. He has been in custody since February 10, 2017, when Saratoga Springs Police arrested him on state charges following a search of his residence. During the search, Saratoga Springs Police and the DEA located approximately 360 bags containing furanyl fentanyl, the semi-automatic rifle and shotgun, and high-capacity ammunition magazines, according to a criminal complaint previously filed in this case.
This case is being investigated by the DEA and its Capital District Drug Enforcement Task Force, which includes members of the Saratoga Springs Police Department, Rensselaer County Sheriff’s Office, New York State Police, Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office, and Washington County Sheriff’s Office. The Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office is also assisting in the investigation.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barnett.
