Pinellas man sentenced for selling fentanyl causing death

TAMPA, Fla. — A St. Petersburg man has been sentenced to prison for distributing fentanyl resulting in death.

US District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle sentenced Kavon Jackasal, 35, to 40 years in federal prison for distribution of fentanyl, resulting in death, and a concurrent 20 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

A jury found Mr Jackasal guilty on December 11, 2023.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Jackasal sold fentanyl and other drugs to users in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties. On May 25, 2021, Mr Jackasal is said to have sold fentanyl to a woman who overdosed and died.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office responded to the victim’s residence and investigated the death. They reported finding a small amount of fentanyl in the victim’s bedroom.

After reviewing the victim’s message history, it was determined that Jackasal was likely the person who had delivered the fentanyl to the victim.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, a detective texted Mr  Jackasal from the victim’s phone and asked for the “same from yesterday.” After responding to the message and agreeing to another delivery, Jackasal arrived at the residence.

Detectives arrested Mr Jackasal and reportedly found a plastic bag containing fentanyl in his car.

Jackasal has previously been convicted of selling controlled substances and sentenced to prison. He was arrested for possession with intent to sell or deliver fentanyl on March 31, 2021, but was released on bond the next day. While that case was pending trial in state court, Mr Jackasal continued to sell fentanyl, ultimately resulting in the overdose death of the victim, said the US Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Sinacore and Samantha Newman prosecuted it.