Cincinnati man sentenced in fentanyl distribution leading to overdose death

A Cincinnati man, Juan Wesley McKenzie, Jr., 25, was sentenced to 300 months in prison this month by Chief U.S. District Judge David Bunning for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.  

According to court documents, McKenzie supplied fentanyl pills to Andrew Rossi, who then distributed portions of those pills to Steffany Keene. Keene subsequently sold several pills to a victim, who consumed them and died from fentanyl toxicity.

Following the death, investigators used the victim’s cellphone to arrange controlled purchases that led to the arrests of Keene and Rossi on Feb. 13, 2024. Both individuals admitted their roles in the distribution chain and confirmed the defendant as their supplier. Laboratory analysis verified that the seized pills contained fentanyl, and an autopsy confirmed fentanyl toxicity as the cause of death.

McKenzie also has a prior conviction for trafficking a fentanyl‑related compound. In 2025, while jailed, the defendant directed an associate to alter or destroy seized cellphones to impede the ongoing federal investigation.

After previously pleading guilty to distribution and possession of a fentanyl resulting in death, Rossi received 150 months in prison in July 2026, and Keene received 144 months in prison in June 2026.

Jason Parman, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; Jim Scott, Special Agent in Charge, DEA, Louisville Field Division; and; Scott Hardcorn, Director of the Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force, jointly announced the sentence.

The investigation was conducted by the DEA and Northern Kentucky Drug Strike Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Spievack prosecuted the case on behalf of the United States.