A Lancaster man will serve up to 12 years in prison for a drug deal that caused the fentanyl-related death of an Ephrata man in 2016.
Patrick C. McEvoy recently pleaded guilty in Lancaster County Court to felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death, conspiracy, and criminal use of a cellphone, regarding the July 27, 2016, death of a 22-year-old man.
Ephrata police Detective Kenneth Lockhart led an investigation that revealed McEvoy, 26, sold heroin to the man, who died inside a business complex on East Main Street.
In exchange for his guilty plea, McEvoy will serve 5 to 12 years in prison, in accordance with a plea agreement arranged by Assistant District Attorney Barry Goldman.
Lancaster County Judge Jeffery Wright accepted the plea and ordered sentence.
In court, McEvoy, previously of Swarr Run Road, apologized to relatives of the victim.
At the death scene, police found a syringe, a spoon, and a blue baggie (commonly used for heroin).
An analysis of cellphone correspondences showed the victim and McEvoy had been text-messaging about “the blues,” prices, and a meeting place.
An autopsy showed the victim died of “acute morphine and fentanyl toxicity.” (Morphine is a by-product of heroin.)
As part of sentence, McEvoy was ordered to pay $2,476 in restitution related to the victim’s funeral costs.
Detective Lockhart filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright