Chicago, IL, Man Found Guilty of Distributing Fentanyl that caused the Death of a Williston, ND Man

BISMARCK – U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that on January 11, 2019, Yancey J. Myers, a/k/a “Yam,” 39, Chicago, IL, was found guilty by a federal jury on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin, distribution of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue resulting in death, and distribution of heroin.  United States District Court Chief Judge Daniel L. Hovland presided. 

On May 27, 2017, Yancey J. Myers distributed a substance containing a detectable amount of heroin and acryl fentanyl in Williston, ND.  The use of the substance by the 23-year-old Williston man resulted in his death.  An autopsy conducted by the North Dakota Forensic Medical Examiner’s Office determined the cause of death was combined opioid drug poisoning due to the use of diacetylmorphine (heroin) and acryl fentanyl.  The jury found that Yancey J. Myers had distributed and conspired with others to distribute heroin in the Williston community beginning in or about 2016 and continuing through the death of the Williston man.  Yancey J. Myers was arrested while attempting to board a train in Minot, ND, destined for Chicago, IL, on May 29, 2017. 

The charge of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute heroin carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine; the charge of distribution of a controlled substance and controlled substance analogue resulting in death carries a minimum/mandatory penalty of 20 years in federal prison, a statutory maximum penalty of life in federal prison, and a $1,000,000 fine; and the charge of distribution of heroin carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Williston Police Department, Northwest Narcotics Task Force, and North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Sentencing for Yancey J. Myers has not been scheduled at this time.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Rick Volk is prosecuting the case. 

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