Woodbridge fentanyl dealer sentenced to a decade in prison after buyer’s fatal overdose

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – A Woodbridge man was sentenced today to 10 years in prison for distribution of fentanyl.

According to court documents, on May 16, 2019, Eric Anthony Stokes II, 27, sold fentanyl that later caused the death of the buyer. Stokes and the buyer negotiated the sale via text message before the buyer travelled to Stokes’ residence and purchased two pills for $70. The buyer then returned to his family’s home.

When the buyer didn’t emerge from his bedroom the following morning, his father found him lying on his bed, cold and bleeding from his mouth, nose, eyes, and navel. He had foam around his mouth and nose. The family called 911, and a family member attempted CPR while waiting for first responders to arrive. He was pronounced dead at the scene at only 21 years old. In the victim’s clothing, investigators found a white envelope with a blue powder that lab tests confirmed contained fentanyl. An autopsy showed that the amount of fentanyl found in his system was approximately twice the amount typically considered fatal.

Stokes continued selling fentanyl despite knowing that the buyer had died after taking the pills.

Jessica D. Aber, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and David J. Scott, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office's Criminal and Cyber Division, made the announcement after sentencing by U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Philip Alito prosecuted the case.

A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Related court documents and information are located on the website of the District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia or on PACER by searching for Case No. 1:24-cr-6.