A sailor in the U.S. Navy has been indicted in federal court for allegedly distributing counterfeit Percocet pills laced with fentanyl, which led to the overdose death of another sailor aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln earlier this year, according to court documents.
Details of the Indictment
Bailey Szramowski faces serious charges for his involvement in the intentional distribution of these dangerous pills, resulting in at least two overdoses in 2023.
The complaint was filed on Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California.
On January 3, tragedy struck when a sailor, referred to as “A.N.” in court papers, died from an overdose while visiting family in San Leandro, California.
Investigating authorities found signs of drug use at the scene, and a toxicology report later confirmed that fentanyl poisoning was responsible for A.N.’s death.
Investigative Findings
Just ten days later, another sailor, identified as “C.L.,” was hospitalized due to a suspected overdose but fortunately survived.
C.L. was willing to assist the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in exploring the drug distribution activities aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln and the circumstances leading to A.N.’s passing.
According to C.L., A.N. and Szramowski had been dealing counterfeit Percocet pills to fellow sailors for roughly a year.
Szramowski allegedly conducted these sales while the aircraft carrier was deployed in 2022 and continued doing so once the ship docked in San Diego, California.
Reports indicate that he received the pills through mail sent to a post office box in Coronado, California.
Allegations of Obstruction
Additionally, Szramowski is accused of attempting to obstruct justice in relation to A.N.’s death.
Allegedly, he encouraged A.N.’s family to delete text messages exchanged between him and A.N., but they chose not to comply.
Szramowski reportedly voiced concerns that if investigators uncovered those messages, he could face serious repercussions, including potential murder charges.
Szramowski joined the USS Abraham Lincoln in May 2021, having completed his boot camp and surface combat systems training at Naval Station Great Lakes.
He achieved the rank of logistics specialist third class in June 2024.
It remains uncertain whether he faces any charges under military law or if he has secured civilian legal representation.
Source: Militarytimes