Two Metro Denver Women Prosecuted for Distributing Heroin Resulting in Death

DENVER – Two Metro Denver women charged with heroin distribution resulting in death made court appearances in U.S. District Court in Colorado last week, U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn, FBI Denver Division Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips and the Denver Police Department announced.  Kayla Pagano, age 24, appeared before a U.S. Magistrate Judge in U.S. District Court in Denver, where she was advised of her rights and the charge pending against her.  Ariel Nicole Walker, age 30, pled guilty last week in U.S. District Court in Denver before Judge R. Brooke Jackson. 

According to the stipulated facts contained in Walker’s plea agreement, on May 31, 2018, Walker went to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin. On that same day, E.N. drove to Civic Center Park looking for someone who could sell her heroin as well. At Civic Center Park, E.N. approached Walker and another party, asking if they could sell her any heroin. Walker asked if E.N. had a car, because that would enable them to meet Walker’s dealer in Westminster, Colorado. E.N. had a vehicle, and the three of them agreed to take it to meet Walker’s dealer at 88th and Garrison in Westminster.

At a gas station in Westminster, Walker met with Kayla Pagano from whom she allegedly purchased heroin. Walker sold some of that heroin to E.N., who injected it. After using the heroin, E.N. passed out and ultimately died in the backseat.

Police later found E.N.’s dead body in an alley in Denver. Based on the autopsy and toxicology results, the Denver Medical Examiner reached the opinion that E.N. died as a result of the toxic effects of heroin.

This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department with support from the FBI.  The defendants are being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter McNeilly.

The charges against Pagano are allegations, and she is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.