Highest sentence in CO history for El Paso County jail fentanyl death

[useapen]

(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — The 4th Judicial District Attorney’s (DA) Office
announced on Wednesday, Feb. 7 that a historic sentence had been handed
down to a woman connected to the fentanyl intoxication death of her
cellmate at the El Paso County Jail in 2023.

Katariina Gibson was found guilty in November 2023 of two felony charges,
including Proximate Cause of Death by Unlawful Distribution and
Introducing Contraband in the Second Degree. Gibson was charged with
distribution of fentanyl after her cellmate, 44-year-old Renee Lowrance
died of fentanyl intoxication on Jan. 20, 2023.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Woman found guilty in jail fentanyl distribution case

The 4th Judicial DA’s Office said on Feb. 2, 2024, its office made
Colorado history by handing down the most severe sentence for this
crime—28 years.

“There is a point, Ms. Gibson, where this is less about you and more about
protecting people from you,” said Judge Samuel Evig as he addressed Gibson
in the courtroom.

DA Michael Allen has made it a priority to address the “alarming increase
in fentanyl deaths” and has directed the DA’s Office to prioritize these
types of cases.

“Fentanyl and other opioids are causing needless deaths in our community,”
said DA Allen. “If you distribute fentanyl anywhere in the 4th Judicial
District, including within the jail, you will be held accountable.”

https://news.yahoo.com/highest-sentence-co-history-el-235323423.html