McMinnville, Oregon, Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Conspiracy That Caused One Death and Six Overdoses
Defendant Distributed Cocaine Laced with Fentanyl
PORTLAND, Ore.— U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott Bradford announced Thursday that John Kyle Donnahoo, 32, of McMinnville, has pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute a Schedule II Controlled Substance. The charge stems from a February 2023 incident in Yamhill County in which a fentanyl‑laced substance caused the overdose death of one person and serious injury to six others.
According to court documents, Donnahoo conspired with another individual to distribute what he believed to be cocaine. As part of the conspiracy, he obtained the substance from a co‑conspirator—an active drug dealer in Yamhill County—and delivered it to a customer at a residence.
Unbeknownst to Donnahoo or the individuals present, the substance contained fentanyl. Although some individuals attempted to test the substance with a fentanyl test kit, the first test malfunctioned and a second test falsely indicated that the substance did not contain fentanyl. Seven adults then ingested the drug and immediately overdosed.
Donnahoo transported three friends who had overdosed to a nearby hospital, while medical personnel and law enforcement responded to the residence to administer lifesaving measures, including Narcan, to the remaining victims. One adult victim died, and six others were hospitalized with serious bodily injuries but later recovered.
As part of the plea agreement, Donnahoo admitted that he knowingly joined a conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance, obtained and delivered the substance that caused the overdoses, and became a member of the conspiracy understanding its purpose.
Donnahoo faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $1 million, and a minimum of three years of supervised release.
He has agreed to pay full restitution, including funeral expenses for the deceased victim and medical expenses for the survivors.
Donnahoo will be sentenced on January 22, 2027, at 10:00 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio.
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