HARRISBURG, PA — An Armstrong County man has been convicted of third-degree murder and other serious charges for providing a fentanyl-cocaine mixture that resulted in a fatal overdose. Attorney General Michelle Henry announced the conviction on Thursday.
Nathan R. Wolfe, 41, of Kittanning, was found guilty of third-degree murder, drug delivery resulting in death, aggravated assault, involuntary manslaughter, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver, and criminal use of a communication facility. Wolfe will be sentenced on September 20 by Judge Chase G. McClister.
An Armstrong County jury reached its verdict after hearing three days of testimony about the events leading to the death of 43-year-old Eric McMillen on February 5, 2020.
“Fentanyl continues to cause devastation and heartbreak across the Commonwealth and country,” said Attorney General Henry. “My office will continue to take an aggressive approach to traffickers who know they are profiting from poison. I commend the jurors for their time and attention, as well as the investigators and prosecutors who ensured justice was served.”
The case stemmed from an investigation led by Armstrong County District Attorney’s Office Detective Brian Wolfe. Local police departments and the Pennsylvania State Police assisted in the effort.
“I commend Armstrong County Detective Brian Wolfe for a thorough investigation and his efforts in filing these charges,” said Armstrong County District Attorney Katie Charlton. “This was a collaborative effort between several Armstrong County law enforcement agencies. I want to thank the Attorney General’s office for their prosecution of the case and securing a conviction. This case truly sends a message to those dealing drugs in Armstrong County that such conduct will not be tolerated.”
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence that Wolfe provided crack cocaine laced with fentanyl to McMillen and his girlfriend. In exchange, Wolfe used McMillen’s vehicle. The transaction took place in a Shop N’ Save parking lot in Armstrong County.
A witness testified that Wolfe knew the cocaine was laced with fentanyl. Despite this knowledge, Wolfe continued to distribute the deadly drugs, leading to two additional non-fatal overdoses.
Senior Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry and Deputy Attorney General Daniel Gleixner prosecuted the case, ensuring that Wolfe was held accountable for his actions.
The conviction marks a significant step in the fight against opioid-related deaths and serves as a stern warning to those involved in drug trafficking.
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