Drug dealer convicted of dealing fentanyl-tainted drugs that killed three ... trends now
The drug dealer who headed the cocaine delivery service that left three dead of fentanyl overdoses in one day was convicted in Manhattan court on Monday.
Billy Ortega, 36, was working as a dispatcher of sorts for the on-demand drug service back in March of 2021.
Ortega directed fellow drug dealer Kaylen Rainey to transport cocaine to several Manhattan addresses, according to federal prosecutors.
Rainey, who pleaded not guilty, then allegedly sold fentanyl-tainted cocaine to attorney Julia Gharamani, Credit Suisse trader Ross Mtangi, and social worker Amanda Scher.
Each of the working professionals would die of an overdose on March 17.
Julia Ghahramani, 26, a first year attorney died in March of 2021 after taking cocaine laced with fentanyl
Ross Mtangi, a trading executive at Credit Suisse Group AG, died on the same day in March after taking cocaine from the same dealer
Amanda Scher, 36, a social worker, was the third victim that day after ordering cocaine from the service run by Ortega
On Monday, Ortega was convicted by a Manhattan federal jury of one count of narcotics conspiracy resulting in death, three counts of narcotics distribution resulting in death, and one count of use and carrying of a firearm in furtherance of the narcotics conspiracy.
He pleaded not guilty and has not yet been sentenced, but is facing a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison and could be looking at life behind bars, according to federal authorities.
Two of Ortega's alleged runners, Rainey and William Drayton, are awaiting sentencing. Drayton pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced on the 17th of next month.
According to text messages between the dealer and the victims, Ortega had touted a 'new batch' of drugs that his crew was selling that day. He specifically warned Scher that the batch was particularly potent after she asked about its quality.
US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement following Ortega's conviction, 'Billy Ortega ran a drug delivery service that delivered fentanyl, killing three victims on a single day.
'Worse yet, Ortega was fully aware that a customer had previously overdosed from the deadly fentanyl Ortega laced into his product, yet continued sending the drugs to his victims.
'As a unanimous jury determined, Ortega will now be held accountable for the victims’ tragic and untimely deaths,' he said.
It takes just a tiny dose of fentanyl to cause an overdose. Two milligrams - the equivalent of five grains of salt - is enough to cause death.
Because it is cut into other popular drugs, many people who die of overdoses (including Scher, Mtangi, and Ghahramani) do not know they are taking fentanyl. Fentanyl has been partially blamed for America's sharp decline in life-expectancy over the past three years.
Drayton (left) pleaded guilty to acting as a drug runner for the service operated by Ortega. He will be sentenced next month. Rainey (right) entered a not guilty plea
Pictures of Rainey allegedly delivering drugs from the government's case against the three dealers
On March 17, Gharamani, who was back at her Avenue B apartment following a stay at her family's Connecticut home, sent a text to a phone that prosecutors say belonged to Ortega, asking: 'Can u come thru?'
The number then texted back: 'I'll send them right now if you want.'
'That would be great, thank you, really appreciate it,' she replied.
'No worries, we family,' came the response.
After getting the text, prosecutors say, Ortega sent Rainey to Ghahramani's address with instructions to collect $200.
Just about nine minutes later,
