How Did Tyler Skaggs Die
Former Los Angeles Angels employee Eric Kay was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison for providing Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs the drugs that led to his overdose death. The sentencing was announced by U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Chad Meacham. Kay was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. The investigation began on July 1, 2019, when Skaggs was found dead in his hotel room at the Southlake Town Square Hilton. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office later determined that Skaggs had a mixture of ethanol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system at the time of his death.
Eric Kay’s Involvement
According to evidence presented at trial, Kay distributed the pills that led to Skaggs’s death. The investigation revealed that Kay regularly dealt the blue M/30 pills – dubbed “blue boys” – to Skaggs and others, doling out the pills at the stadium where they worked. Several former Angels players testified that Kay distributed blue 30 milligram oxycodone pills to them as well. They further testified that he was the only source of these pills and would conduct transactions in the Angels Stadium.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors presented evidence of Kay making derogatory comments about Skaggs, his family, prosecutors, and jurors in phone calls and emails after he was convicted in February. The trial included testimony from five major league players who said they received oxycodone pills from Kay at various times from 2017-19, the years Kay was accused of obtaining pills and giving them to players at Angel Stadium. The government argued that Kay was the only one who could have given Skaggs the drugs that led to his death, that the delivery was in Texas, and that fentanyl was the cause of death.
Sentencing and Reaction
Kay was sentenced to 22 years in federal prison by Senior U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means. The judge cited Kay’s derogatory comments about Skaggs and added two years to the minimum sentence because of Kay’s comments to his family in jailhouse conversations after the conviction. The judge expressed his dread from the beginning of the case because the 20-year minimum could be considered too harsh for the crime. Carli Skaggs, the widow, fought back tears during the sentencing, stating, “Not only am I grieving the loss of my husband, I’m grieving the loss of myself.”
DEA’s Response
Following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham stated, “The Skaggs family learned the hard way: One fentanyl pill can kill. That’s why our office is committed to holding to account anyone who deals in illicit opioids, whether they operate in back alleyways or world-class stadiums.” Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas, emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for distributing deadly drugs like fentanyl.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Eric Kay to 22 years in federal prison for his involvement in providing the drugs that led to Tyler Skaggs’s overdose death serves as a reminder of the devastating impact of illicit opioids. The case highlights the need for accountability and justice in combating the distribution of deadly drugs.
FAQs
1. What drugs were found in Tyler Skaggs’s system at the time of his death?
The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s office determined that Skaggs had a mixture of ethanol, fentanyl, and oxycodone in his system at the time of his death.
2. What was Eric Kay’s role in Tyler Skaggs’s death?
Eric Kay was found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances. He was involved in providing the drugs that led to Tyler Skaggs’s overdose death.
3. What was the reaction to Eric Kay’s sentencing?
There was no reaction from Skaggs’ widow and mother or members of Kay’s family, including one of his sons who read a statement on his behalf before sentencing. A bailiff had warned observers they would be removed from the court over any outbursts.
4. What was the DEA’s response to Eric Kay’s sentencing?
Following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham and Eduardo A. Chavez, Special Agent in Charge of DEA Dallas, emphasized the importance of holding individuals accountable for distributing deadly drugs like fentanyl.
5. What was the judge’s rationale for the sentencing?
The judge cited Kay’s derogatory comments about Skaggs and added two years to the minimum sentence because of Kay’s comments to his family in jailhouse conversations after the conviction. The judge expressed his dread from the beginning of the case because the 20-year minimum could be considered too harsh for the crime.