Evansville woman federally charged in toddler's fentanyl overdose death

EVANSVILLE — Federal prosecutors unveiled an additional indictment connected to the 2021 overdose death of 3-year-old Kamari Opperman.

In a superseding indictment filed Thursday, a federal grand jury accused 24-year-old Alaina Brown of distributing fentanyl resulting in death, conspiring to distribute fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury, and possessing fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

On Sept. 12, federal prosecutors charged 33-year-old Arcinial Watt with one count of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. 

According to court records, investigators connected Brown's and Watt's fentanyl directly to the death of Opperman and the injury of two other toddlers. Both were initially charged at the state level.

Opperman's overdose death also resulted in Evansville police arresting four of her family members.

More:Evansville child dies after ingesting 'fentanyl pill'; police investigating

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary Meyers said Brown and Watt conspired to distribute more than 400 grams of fentanyl between August 2021 and October 2021.

Investigators reportedly seized more than 5,000 fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and more than $30,000 during the course of the investigation.

“This did not need to happen. A toddler is dead, and a baby was hospitalized because of the greed and utter disregard for human life displayed by those who traffic deadly drugs in our community,” said Zachary A. Myers, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana.

“The serious charges announced today demonstrate that federal law enforcement and our local partners are determined to hold criminals accountable for pushing poison on our streets.”

More: Evansville-area police, prosecutors going after a new target in fentanyl-related deaths

Michael Gannon, DEA Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said ingesting as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal. One kilogram of the substance has the potential to kill upwards of 500,000, investigators say.

"Alleged drug traffickers like Mr. Watt and Ms. Brown who are knowingly dealing poisonous and lethal fentanyl must be held accountable for their actions, especially when they show careless disregard for possessing and storing fentanyl pills that resulted in the death of an infant child," Gannon said.

If convicted of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl resulting in death or serious bodily injury, Watt and Brown face 20 years to life in prison, a fine of up to $10,000,000.

For the possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl, the pair faces a sentence of 10 years to life and a fine of up to $10,000,000.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Houston Harwood can be contacted at walter.harwood@courierpress.com with story ideas and questions. Twitter: @houston_whh