Home Taking Action Drug Delivery Resulting in Death: Dealer Who Delivered Fentanyl – Causing Clarion Woman’s Fatal OD – Charged with First-Degree Felony

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Drug Delivery Resulting in Death: Dealer Who Delivered Fentanyl – Causing Clarion Woman’s Fatal OD – Charged with First-Degree Felony

AG Shapiro: “If you give someone drugs and it causes their death, you’re facing a first-degree felony and jail.”

HARRISBURG — Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced felony charges against three Clarion County defendants accused of delivering fentanyl to a 22-year-old Limestone Township woman, resulting in her fatal overdose. One of the defendants is charged with drug delivery resulting in death, a first-degree felony.

Dustin Schmader, 27, of Mealy Lane, Tionesta, was charged with drug delivery resulting in death, delivery of a controlled substance and other felonies for delivering three bags of fentanyl to Megan McLean the day before she died of a fatal overdose. Also charged in their role for delivering the drugs were Richard Ganci, 28, and Shayla Ganci, 29, both of Route 322, Shippenville.

“If you give someone drugs and it causes their death, you’re facing a first-degree felony and jail,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “I am using every tool we have to hold dealers who sell heroin, fentanyl and other deadly drugs, accountable for the pain and death they’re causing across Pennsylvania. Where it’s appropriate, that includes the charge of drug delivery resulting in death.”

With assistance from a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury, the Pennsylvania State Police learned through phone records and witness statements that the Gancis purchased 50 bags of heroin from a source near Berlin, PA. Schmader paid for the drugs and all three defendants used the drugs together.

On February 24, 2017 – one day before McLean’s death from a fatal fentanyl overdose – Schmader delivered three bags of fentanyl to McLean. The same bags were found at the scene of her death. All three defendants confessed to delivering the drugs.

“This arrest is a result of strong law enforcement collaboration and an effective use of an investigating grand jury,” Attorney General Shapiro said. “I’d like to thank the Pennsylvania State Police, Clarion County Drug Task Force, Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron, and the members of the grand jury for their help in bringing these drug dealers to justice.”

Since Attorney General Shapiro took office in January 2017, his office has arrested or prosecuted 20 defendants for drug delivery resulting in death. The office uses this charge where appropriate to charge drug dealers and medical professionals who deliver drugs that cause the death of another individual. Conviction for drug delivery resulting in death is punishable by up to 40 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

Bail for Schmader was set at $100,000. Bail for Shayla Ganci was set at $50,000. Bail for Richard Ganci is pending. The preliminary hearing for the three defendants is scheduled for May 8. The case will be jointly prosecuted by Senior Deputy Attorney General Marnie Sheehan-Balchon and Clarion County District Attorney Mark Aaron.

Individuals who have witnessed a drug deal in their neighborhood or suspect illegal drug activity can send an anonymous tip to the Office of Attorney General by texting PADRUGS + YOUR TIP to 847411. Tips can also be submitted electronically here.

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