FORT WORTH, Texas — A 23-year-old man from Alvord, Texas, has been sentenced to nearly 23 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the distribution of fentanyl, an opioid linked to multiple overdose deaths, including that of his pregnant girlfriend.
Rhett Barclay was handed down a 275-month prison sentence by U.S. District Judge Mark Pittman last Thursday, culminating a case that shone a harsh light on the grim toll of the opioid epidemic in North Texas. Barclay had admitted to conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver fentanyl in February.
The case garnered significant attention due to the tragic circumstances surrounding the deaths, notably that of 26-year-old Kennedy Howard, Barclay’s girlfriend, who overdosed at their home in January of the previous year. The incident, which occurred in the presence of their toddler, was part of what prosecutors described as a disturbing pattern of negligence by Barclay in handling the lethal drug.
Authorities were alerted to the troubling scene by deputies from the Wise County Sheriff’s Office, who, along with medical first responders, attempted unsuccessfully to revive Howard using life-saving measures including Narcan. Howard, who was pregnant at the time, was later declared dead at a local hospital.
During the investigation, law enforcement seized counterfeit pills marked “M30” from the residence, which were identified as fake Oxycontin containing fentanyl. This follows a similarly distressing incident two years prior at the same location, where another woman suffered a fatal overdose under comparable circumstances.
According to U.S. Attorney Leigha Simonton, who commented during the sentencing, Barclay’s actions have had deadly consequences. “This case underscores the profound dangers of trafficking fentanyl, which has claimed the lives of countless individuals, including unsuspecting loved ones,” Simonton stated.
Federal court records revealed that Barclay began distributing fentanyl around January 2021, obtaining the drug from sources for redistribution in the North Texas area. His criminal activities included a tragic episode where two women overdosed after splitting a fentanyl-laced pill, with one of them succumbing to the effects.
The severity of the situation was compounded on January 12, 2023, when Barclay and Howard acquired approximately 40 fentanyl pills. Tragically, Howard ingested one of these pills, leading to the overdose that ended her life.
In light of these events, Barclay faced a potential prison term of five to 40 years. Along with his prison sentence, he will undergo five years of supervised release. The consequences of his actions extend beyond federal repercussions, as Barclay also faced state charges, ultimately pleading guilty to abandoning and endangering a child during the January 2023 incident. He received a separate one-year jail sentence for this charge.
This case highlights not only the personal tragedies caused by the opioid crisis but also underscores the ongoing challenge law enforcement and communities face in combating the proliferation of fentanyl, a drug that continues to pose a deadly risk across the nation.