A Leola man is charged with selling a fatal batch of heroin to a man who overdosed in a Lancaster County convenience store.
Marc Lacasse sold heroin to 26-year-old Andrew Stevens shortly before Stevens was found dead Feb. 29 in a restroom at Rutter’s, 370 West Main Street, Leola.
The Lancaster County coroner’s office determined Stevens, of Leola, died of acute morphine toxicity, caused by heroin use.
On Thursday, East Lampeter Township police Detective Christopher Jones charged Lacasse, 43, with felony counts of drug delivery resulting in death and criminal use of a cellphone.
Assistant District Attorney Maria Cusick approved the charges, which were filed at District Judge Denise Commins’ office. Judge Commins set bail at $250,000, which wasn’t posted.
Lacasse is at least the fifth person to be charged in Lancaster County since 2014 with causing a fatal heroin overdose.
“We’ll continue to see more deaths from these dangerous and illegal drugs until our society, and our criminal justice system, decides enough is enough and adjusts to stop this scourge - which is not only ruining lives, it is taking them,” Lancaster County District Attorney Craig Stedman said Thursday. “Until then, we will continue to charge dealers when we have the evidence.”
East Lampeter police collected numerous pieces of evidence, including video surveillance and cellphone records.
Police determined Lacasse sold Stevens a quantity of heroin in the parking lot of Giant, 10 Newport Road, about 11 p.m. Stevens then drove to the Rutter’s and entered the store alone.
In the bathroom, police found Stevens deceased, along with spoon, several baggies, and other items consistent with heroin use.
Lacasse is presumed innocent.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright