BAY SHORE MAN INDICTED FOR SELLING FENTANYL-LACED COCAINE THAT LED TO FATAL OVERDOSE

(SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y.) – Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced the indictment of Joseph Pittman, also known as “Tank,” 44, of Bay Shore, who is accused of selling fentanyl-laced cocaine that allegedly led to a fatal overdose. This is the second indictment in the past two weeks of a defendant accused of providing a lethal dose of fentanyl-laced cocaine to an unsuspecting cocaine user.

“At the time of these alleged offenses, this defendant was on parole supervision for a felony conviction involving the possession of narcotics,” said District Attorney Tierney. “Despite being on parole, he allegedly continued to sell fentanyl-laced cocaine, and one such sale sadly led to a fatal overdose. All drug users should be on notice that drug dealers cannot be trusted to give you a safe product. You are playing Russian roulette with your life.”

On August 8, 2022, members of the Suffolk County Police Department responded to a residence in Great River for a fatal overdose after the victim was discovered by a friend in the victim’s bedroom. Police recovered the victim’s cell phone, white powder, and a pocketknife containing powder residue. Suffolk County Crime Laboratory tested the white powder and determined it was a mixture of cocaine and fentanyl.

A review of the victim’s cell phone showed text messages between the victim and a contact with the assigned name of “Tank,” arranging for the purchase of narcotics. An undercover detective of the Suffolk County Police Department contacted Pittman and arranged for the sale of narcotics on five separate occasions. On each date, Pittman allegedly sold the detective cocaine, some of which was laced with fentanyl.

On December 12, 2022, law enforcement allegedly seized quantities of cocaine and fentanyl as well as two digital scales during the execution of a search warrant at Pittman’s home. While the warrant was being executed, Pittman was seen attempting to destroy and discard narcotics by throwing them out of the bathroom window.

On March 22, 2023, Pittman was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Richard I. Horowitz, for the following charges:

• Eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony;
• 10 counts of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a Class B felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fourth Degree, a Class C felony;
• One count of Tampering with Evidence, a Class E felony;
• One count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Seventh Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
• One count of Criminal Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, a Class A misdemeanor.

Judge Horowitz ordered Pittman held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $1 million partially secured bond. Pittman is due back in court on April 17, 2023 and if convicted he faces up to two to 12 years in prison. He is being represented by Harman Lutzer, Esq.

This is the second indictment in two weeks by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office where the victim died from a fentanyl overdose after purchasing what they believed to be cocaine.
Just last week, Nicholas Romano, 33, of Lindenhurst, was also indicted for selling fentanyl-laced cocaine that led to the fatal overdose of a Copiague man. See the release on Romano’s indictment here.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Danielle Davis of the Narcotics Bureau.

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Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments.

Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law.

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