South Carolina – A South Carolina man will spend the next two decades in federal prison after being held responsible for distributing counterfeit fentanyl pills that led to a young woman’s death, bringing a lengthy investigation into one of the region’s most dangerous drug operations to a close.
Pasqual Perez Duckett, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison for distributing fentanyl that resulted in the fatal overdose of a 28-year-old woman from South Carolina. The sentence follows a months-long investigation that uncovered a sophisticated operation involving the production and sale of fake prescription pills across several counties.
Federal authorities began investigating Duckett in July 2023 after receiving reliable information that he was trafficking large amounts of illegal drugs, including counterfeit prescription pills, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
Investigators determined that Duckett ordered roughly 125 kilograms of pill-binding material, which he used to press thousands of pills designed to look like legitimate Percocet and Oxycodone tablets. In reality, the pills were laced with fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths nationwide.
On August 30, 2023, Duckett sold one of the counterfeit pills to a Columbia woman who believed she was purchasing Percocet. She was found dead the following morning by her mother. Medical findings later confirmed that the cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity.
Authorities said Duckett became aware that the pill he distributed caused the woman’s death but attempted to distance himself from the incident.
Investigators documented actions including checking out of a hotel shortly after the overdose, deleting messages from his phone, and relocating his vehicle in what prosecutors described as an effort to create an alibi. Despite knowing the deadly outcome, Duckett continued distributing fentanyl-laced pills on at least three more occasions.
At sentencing, the court emphasized the severity of the harm caused. Duckett was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay restitution to the victim’s family to cover funeral expenses. Federal sentences do not allow for parole.
Law enforcement officials said the case underscores the lethal risks posed by counterfeit pills and the determination of authorities to hold traffickers accountable when their actions result in loss of life.
This is what the Department of Justice wrote in a press release:
“Fentanyl continues to plague our communities, showing up in illicit substances and counterfeit pills,” said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. “We are fighting this evil head on with our law enforcement partners and hope this sentence brings a measure of peace and closure to our victim’s family and loved ones.”
“This sentence reflects the devastating reality of fentanyl trafficking,” said Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division. “A life was lost because of this defendant’s actions, and no punishment can ever undo that harm. Today’s sentencing holds the offender accountable and sends a clear message that those who profit from distributing this deadly poison will face severe consequences.”
“Those who put fentanyl on our streets should be treated as murderers; it’s no different than shooting someone,” said Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott. “They know these drugs kill people and continue to do it.”
“I have witnessed first-hand the devastatingly harmful and lethal effects of fentanyl and opioids,” said Columbia Police Chief William H. “Skip” Holbrook. “This sentencing is another example of law enforcement working together to arrest and prosecute opioid traffickers and distributors who have zero regard for the sanctity of life or the harm being inflicted in our communities.”
