JURY CONVICTS MAN OF DEALING FENTANYL RESULTING IN DEATH

11/16/2022

PRESS RELEASE

LOGANSPORT – Prosecutor Noah Schafer announced that Hakeem Rose, 21, of Logansport, was convicted by a jury in Cass Circuit Court of Dealing in a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death.  Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tom Lupke presented the case.

The jury heard evidence that in August of 2020 Rose was distributing blue-green “perc 30” pills.  According to testimony, Anthony Barrientos, a 20-year-old Logansport man, consumed a portion of one of the pills and died shortly thereafter.  According to an autopsy report, the Barrientos died of acute fentanyl intoxication.  Rose has been previously convicted of felony theft of a firearm and resisting law enforcement in Miami County, as well of possession of marijuana in Cass County.

In closing, Chief Deputy Prosecutor Tom Lupke argued that this was a case about consequences.  “Tony paid the ultimate price . . . and the defendant chose to be the head of the snake (with regards to dealing perc 30s).  There are consequences for that.”  He then asked the jury to find the defendant guilty based on the evidence.

Of the Rose case Schafer added: “We’re grateful for the adaptations and innovations that our Cass County Drug Task force has made to respond to this new threat of fentanyl.  The death of such a young man highlights the seriousness of the ongoing crisis, and we’re grateful that the tasks force’s hard work was able to bring a measure of justice and closure to Mr. Barrientos’ family.”

Rose is scheduled for sentencing on December 16, 2022 before the Honorable Stephen Roger Kitts, who presided over the case in Cass Circuit Court.