Long Island Man Convicted of Drug Trafficking and Firearms Offenses Defendant Distributed Fentanyl that Caused the Overdose Death of Selden Man

BROOKLYN, NY— Today in federal court in Central Islip, a federal jury convicted Marlon Thompson on all four counts alleging conspiracy to distribute fentanyl, heroin and a cocaine base of the distribution of fentanyl that caused the death of victim Fredrick Koenig , 36, on Christmas Day 2018, and illegal possession of firearms. The verdict followed a six-day trial before US District Judge Joan M. Azrack. If convicted, Thompson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and up to life in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Frank A. Tarentino, Special Agent in Charge, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); and Rodney J. Harrison, Commissioner, Suffolk County Police Commissioner (SCPD), and Raymond A. Tierney, Suffolk County District Attorney, announced the verdict.

“Today the defendant was held accountable for the fentanyl trafficking that caused the tragic death of a young man from a Long Island drug overdose,” prosecutors Peace said. “The large quantities of fentanyl that the defendant distributed throughout Suffolk County had a devastating impact on the community, including by taking this young man away from his family prematurely. This office, along with our federal and local partners, will continue to work tirelessly to prosecute those who contribute to this serious problem.”

“The overwhelming number of drug intoxications in the United States is a driving force for DEA to bring those responsible to justice,” said DEA Special Agent Tarentino in charge. “Today’s sentencing underscores the spreading impact of this crisis and the destruction it has caused so many lives. This investigation is an example of our commitment to families who have lost loved ones and how we work every day to stop drug traffickers like Marlon Thompson.”

“This defendant was responsible for fueling the addiction through trafficking in powerful narcotics which resulted in the death of a Selden man,” SCPD Commissioner Harrison said. “We will never stop working with our law enforcement partners to hold these dealers to account, as well as community groups to help addicts get the help they need.”

“This case is a stark reminder of the tragic devastation that the opioid epidemic has wreaked on the region and the Borough of Suffolk in particular,” said Raymond A. Tierney, District Attorney for the Borough of Suffolk. “My office will continue to work with our federal and state law enforcement partners to aggressively pursue and prosecute traffickers whose illegal drugs have caused harm or death to others.”

The evidence proved that from January 2017 to May 2019 the defendant conspired to distribute fentanyl, heroin and a cocaine base throughout Suffolk County. On Christmas Day 2018, the defendant administered fentanyl to the victim, who suffered a fatal overdose at his parents’ home in Selden, New York.

The defendant was still supplying fentanyl, heroin and crack in Suffolk County months after Koenig’s death. When Thompson was arrested, law enforcement confiscated fentanyl and drug packaging materials from his basement bedroom and also confiscated three illegal guns and ammunition from Thompson’s storage unit. Government evidence included testimonies from Thompson’s co-conspirators, text messages between the defendant and drug dealers discussing their illicit dealings, drug paraphernalia and thousands of dollars of bundled US currency obtained from drug sales seized from the defendant’s home.

The government’s case is being handled by the Bureau’s Long Island Criminal Division. Assistant US Attorneys Samantha Alessi, Gabriel Park and Catherine M. Mirabile are serving in the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Adam Bernard.

The defender:

MARLON THOMPSON

Age: 41

Selden, New York

EDNY File No. 19-CR-596 (S-1) (JMA)