'Major drug trafficker' gets lengthy prison sentence after leaving OD victims to go to Wendy's: authorities
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A New York drug kingpin was sentenced to a lengthy prison term Tuesday after he left two overdose victims to go to a Wendy’s restaurant.

Holbrook resident Russell Defreitas, 55, was recently found guilty of operating as a major drug trafficker and 91 other charges. 

He was sentenced to 53 years in prison, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. In a press release Tuesday, the office said Defreitas was involved in “a large-scale cocaine and fentanyl trafficking operation in Suffolk County which caused two fentanyl overdose deaths.”

The incident happened May 9, 2023, when the two victims — a male and a female — were in a hotel room booked in Defreitas’ name.

Suffolk County District Attorney's Office

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case. (Google Maps)

“Additionally, at the time of his arrest, Defreitas was found to be in possession of bank cards in the names of two of his overdose victims.” 

Defreitas was sentenced Tuesday after defending himself in court without a lawyer. In a statement, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said Defreitas’ sentencing “highlights the urgent need for stronger legislation,” and he endorsed a bill called Chelsey’s Law

“The passage of Chelsey’s Law in New York State would give prosecutors additional tools to hold dealers accountable when their products cause death,” the DA said. “This defendant’s actions directly led to two overdose fatalities, yet our current laws don’t allow us to charge these preventable deaths as the homicides that they are.

Raymond A. Tierney

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney endorsed legislation to prevent similar crimes from happening. (Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office)

“Chelsey’s Law would ensure that those who profit from dealing deadly substances face consequences proportionate to the devastation they cause in our communities.”

Fox News Digital’s Sophia Compton contributed to this report.

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