Eric Turner, 32, of Gaithersburg was sentenced to six years in prison for the death of 20-year-old Shanon Cole, who overdosed in July of 2023 after ingesting a pill he received from Turner.
According to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office, “In the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, MD, the Honorable Theresa Chernosky sentenced defendant, Eric Turner, 32, of Gaithersburg, to 10 years in prison suspend all but six years to serve and five years of supervised probation upon release. The sentencing hearing was held Friday, August 9, 2024.
Turner pleaded guilty on June 7, 2024, to involuntary manslaughter for the death of 20-year-old Shanon Cole. Cole overdosed in July of 2023 after ingesting a pill he received from Turner and died as a result. The pill contained fentanyl.
This matter was prosecuted by Assistant State’s Attorneys Kimberly Cissel and Jennifer Harrison with our Overdose Prosecution Unit.
“This case should send a clear message that dealers selling fentanyl are merchants of death and will be held accountable in Montgomery County. If you participate in the distribution of this lethal, illicit drug and someone dies, you will not only be charged with distribution. As occurred here, you potentially face additional charges related to the homicide and associated consequences.,” said State’s Attorney John McCarthy.
