Massachusetts Man Pleads Guilty To Distributing Fentanyl

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Timothy Neal (46, Boston, MA) has pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl. Neal faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on April 26, 2022, Neal's co-defendant, Haley Eaton, sold two bags of fentanyl to Neal. The next day, Neal purchased an additional three bags of fentanyl from Eaton. Neal consumed the fentanyl he had purchased from Eaton, along with A.C., at his residence. On April 28, 2022, at around 2:00 a.m., Neal awoke to find A.C. unresponsive. A.C.'s minor daughter called 911 and emergency responders arrived on scene and pronounced A.C. dead.

During a search of Neal and A.C.'s residence, law enforcement officers found an empty bag that had previously contained fentanyl. The bag was the same kind that Eaton had sold to Neal, and it was found on A.C.'s dresser in a plastic container. Neal confirmed it was the same bag he had purchased earlier from Eaton, which he had used with A.C. A laboratory analysis confirmed that the bag contained fentanyl residue.

Eaton previously pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 25, 2024.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee.