Man Arrested in Connection with Fatal Fentanyl Overdose of Houston Resident

A 22-year-old man has been taken into custody in connection with the fentanyl overdose death of a Houston resident, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani. Cole Martin Millsap was arrested on Oct. 23 and is scheduled to make his initial court appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Dena Hanovice Palermo.

According to court documents, Millsap allegedly sold drugs to the victim multiple times, including the fatal dose. A forensic examination of the victim’s phone reportedly revealed text messages discussing illegal narcotics purchases with Millsap. Law enforcement found the victim deceased at his residence on April 22, just three days after his last message to Millsap. An autopsy confirmed that fentanyl toxicity was the cause of death.

At the time of the alleged offense, Millsap was on felony bond and wearing a GPS monitor, which authorities claim placed him at the scene of the drug delivery detailed in the text messages. The investigation also connected him to the phone number labeled “COLE WORLD” on the victim’s phone.

In addition to this case, Millsap allegedly made multiple drug sales to undercover law enforcement agents, including the sale of 0.4 grams of fentanyl on Aug. 29, 3.55 grams of fentanyl and 3.9 grams of heroin on Sept. 4, and 105.4 grams of fentanyl on Oct. 3.

If convicted, Millsap faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years to life in prison, along with a potential fine of up to $5 million.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Fentanyl/Overdose Task Force conducted the investigation with assistance from the Houston Police Department and the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Stuart Tallichet is prosecuting the case.