Alpine resident dies of fentanyl poisoning, one arrested

ALPINE, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A Denver, Colorado man was arrested Saturday in connection to the fentanyl related death of an Alpine resident.

53-year-old Douglas Christopher Steele has been charged with Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute a Controlled Substance (fentanyl) and Possession with Intent to Distribute Fentanyl. Steele made his first court appearance on Monday and faces 20 years to life in prison on each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Homeland Security Investigations and the Texas Department of Public Safety Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the case with assistance from the Alpine Police Department, Brewster County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

The name of the victim was not publicly released, and a mugshot was not immediately available for Steel.

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