Victim’s mom will send defendants picture of son each Christmas
AUSTIN — A federal court has handed down prison sentences for three people, including a local woman, in connection with the June 2022 deadly fentanyl poisoning of a Taylor High School graduate.
David Lee Jr., 46, and Virginia Zepeda, 43, both of Austin, and Jackie Lynne Chester, 37, of Taylor, were sentenced in U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman’s courtroom Dec. 1 for their roles in the distribution of illicit fentanyl resulting in the death of 18-year-old Hunter Crump, according to officials.
Three people were sentenced to prison time after being convicted of the fentanyl related death of 18-year-old Hunter Crump, a Taylor High School graduate. Stock photo
Lee received 20 years in prison, Zepeda was sentenced to 11 years and 3 months and Chester was sentenced to nine years.
Crump died just a few weeks after graduating from high school.
A relative applauded the ruling.
“The thing is, in a case like this, we were lucky to get justice at all, so I am happy for the amount of justice being done,” said Kimberly Crump, the victim’s mother. “To be really honest, my son was such a good and forgiving young man. He wouldn’t want us to hold any ill will, either. The fact of the matter is these people’s lives are changed forever, just like ours.”
All three defendants previously pleaded guilty to the charges.
During the hearing, when witnesses and relatives are allowed to deliver impact statements, Crump said she told each defendant she will send a Christmas card with a picture of her son every year they are in prison.
She said it will remind them of why they are behind bars away from their families during the holiday season.
“They will not forget my son, I guarantee,” she said. “I will not let them forget what they did.”
Crump said she hopes the trio gets the help they need while imprisoned.
Since she has received comfort and support from groups such as Angel Moms and Texas Against Fentanyl, Crump said she believes in forgiveness.
Crump said she has even prayed with Lee’s mother and her pastor.
“She (Lee’s mom) didn’t do anything wrong,” Crump said. “Why should she not ever be able to see her son again, because he took my son away?”
According to federal court documents outlining an investigation into Hunter Crump’s poisoning death, the defendants were identified as suppliers of counterfeit oxycodone tablets and other counterfeit prescription pills.
Video-surveillance footage introduced to the court revealed the victim approached Lee’s vehicle at a gas station and engaged in a hand-to-hand exchange with Chester through a window of the vehicle, according to a news release.
Four-and-a-half tablets of counterfeit oxycodone were recovered from the victim’s residence following his demise.
“These defendants were blinded by greed and sold fake fentanyl pills for a quick profit, and as a result, the victim and his family have suffered an immeasurable loss,” said Daniel Comeaux, special agent in charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Houston Division.
Comeaux also said illicit fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States faces today, adding it only takes a small amount to claim a life.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said DEA agents conducted controlled buys with Lee and Zepeda as part of the investigation. A controlled buy consists of an undercover police officer or an informant purchasing illegal items while under surveillance.
The results indicated the defendants were actively distributing fentanyl in the form of counterfeit oxycodone following Crump’s death, according to federal prosecutors.
While this is a federal case, Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill into law effective Sept. 1 that allows those suspected of causing fentanyl poisoning to be charged with murder by the state.
