United States Drug Enforcement Administration

(DETROIT) – A Detroit man was sentenced yesterday to 30 years in prison for the January 2017 sale of fentanyl laced heroin that resulted in the death of a 36 year old Westland man, announced United States Attorney Matthew Schneider. 

Schneider was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Timothy Plancon, Drug Enforcement Administration, Detroit Division and Chief Jeff Jedrusik of the Westland Police Department. 

Sentenced was Alxleotold Gordon, 46. Gordon pleaded guilty on September 18, 2017 before U.S. District Judge Robert H. Cleland. Co-defendant Lori Ann Pangborn also pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 108 months in prison last December. 

According to court records, the victim in this case was supplied heroin by Lori Ann Pangborn, Gordon’s co-defendant, while the victim was in a recovery house attempting to overcome his heroin addiction. Gordon, who has numerous felony drug convictions, was sentenced following his guilty pleas to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death, Possession of Controlled Substances (Heroin) With the Intent to Distribute, Possession of Firearms by a Previously Convicted Felon and Possession of Firearms in Furtherance of a Drug Trafficking Crime. 

“This conviction and sentence is particularly important given Mr. Gordon’s numerous previous felony conviction for narcotics distribution offenses,” stated U.S. Attorney Schneider. “Persons addicted to opiates face nearly insurmountable challenges in beating their addiction. Those who make it available to users guarantee failure in that fight.” 

“This sentence is the culmination of numerous hours of dedicated work by Westland Police Officers and DEA Agents” said Special Agent Plancon. “DEA will continue to aggressively target and prosecute drug trafficking crimes involving heroin as part of the effort to address the ongoing opiate crisis that is threatening the safety of Detroit’s citizens.” 

An important component to the federal prosecution was swift and successful investigation and undercover work by officers of the Westland Policed Department.

Chief Jedrusik of the Westland Police stated, “Westland Detectives and Officers from the Special Investigations Unit conducted a thorough and professional investigation, quickly determined the defendants’ identities and orchestrated a seamless undercover operation and search warrant resulting in Gordon and Pangborn’s arrest. Their hard work and dedication is a credit to the Westland Police Department.” 

Westland Police Department and the Detroit office of the DEA investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Erin Shaw and John O’Brien of the Eastern District of Michigan prosecuted the case.