Schuylkill County man found guilty of delivering fentanyl in Berks woman’s overdose death

Reading, PA —

A jury has found a Schuylkill County man guilty of delivering the fentanyl that caused a Spring Township woman’s overdose death in April 2018.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before finding Drew M. Reed, 28, of South Manheim Township guilty of drug delivery resulting in death, delivering a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility. Sentencing is scheduled for May.

Reed admitted during the trial that he bought a blue bag containing what he believed was heroin in Reading on Aug. 14, 2018, and delivered it to Jennifer McCauley that night. McCauley, 44, was found dead in the bathroom of her apartment in the 1900 block of Van Reed Road two days later.

Investigators found drug paraphernalia, including an empty blue, waxed paper bag that tested positive for fentanyl and acetyl fentanyl in McCauley’s bedroom. They also analyzed her cellphone and found several text messages with Reed related to drugs.

An autopsy concluded McCauley’s cause of death was acute fentanyl toxicity, or a fentanyl overdose. Authorities said there was no evidence McCauley was a regular drug user and Reed testified that she reached out to him, asking for help getting heroin to deal with pain from fibromyalgia.

Defense attorney Jay M. Nigrini argued there wasn’t enough evidence to prove McCauley died from the drugs Reed brought her, noting that investigators also found two white baggies often used for drugs in her home as well. Those bags also were tested and found to contain no drug residue.

Nigrini also argued that Reed did not know that what he gave McCauley contained fentanyl, arguing that he shouldn’t be held responsible for the death since he also believed it was heroin.

Reed, who has a lengthy criminal record of drug and theft convictions stemming from his own heroin addiction, has been in Berks County Prison since April 23, 2018.