Michael Reis, 29, of Omaha, Nebraska, was sentenced to life in prison on February 26 for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 4-year-old child, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) announced.
The incident occurred on March 12, 2022, when deputies from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office (DCSO) responded to a call about an unresponsive child at the Aspen Grove apartment complex. After performing CPR, the child was rushed to Children’s Hospital and Medical Center, where they were later pronounced dead due to fentanyl toxicity.
An investigation revealed that Reis, a fentanyl dealer, had sold a fentanyl pill to Paris Hunt on the day of the child’s death. The pill, which was left on a table, was later ingested by Hunt’s young son. While Reis initially denied responsibility for the sale, claiming that Hunt had begged him for the pill, authorities determined that Reis had sold drugs to her on at least 35 previous occasions.
“This tragic death will forever be remembered,” said DEA Omaha Division Special Agent in Charge Steven T. Bell. “Today’s sentencing will not bring back the 4-year-old child who ingested a fake pill left lying on a table, but Michael Reis will spend the rest of his life in prison knowing that a pill he sold caused a beautiful soul to leave this earth.”
This sentence marks the first time in Nebraska’s history that someone has been sentenced to life in prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a death. The community continues to mourn the loss, while law enforcement remains determined to combat the opioid crisis that claims so many innocent lives.
