South Dakota man sentenced for distributing fentanyl that caused a fatal overdose

A Sioux Falls man has been convicted of causing a death through his distribution of fentanyl.

A federal jury has found 25-year-old Armando Cheshier guilty of Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death and two counts of Distribution of a Controlled Substance.

Cheshier distributed fentanyl and Xanax to the victim in this case, which ultimately resulted in her death, due to the fatal amounts of fentanyl. The two were friends and had spent the night together after both had ingested multiple illegal narcotic substances. The defendant awoke the next day to find the victim lying lifeless in his bed.

U.S. Attorney for South Dakota, Alison J. Ramsdell, says according to lab testing, seven out of every ten fentanyl pills contain a lethal dose.

A presentence investigation was ordered with sentencing for February 9th.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of life in prison and/or a $1,000,000 fine.

December 5, 2023