A U.S. Navy sailor has been indicted in federal court for allegedly distributing fentanyl-laced Percocet pills that contributed to the overdose death of another sailor stationed on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in 2023. The sailor, Bailey Szramowski, faces serious charges related to the incident, which involved at least two overdoses among sailors in the past year.
The court documents indicate that on January 3, 2023, a sailor identified as “A.N.” tragically died from an overdose while at home in San Leandro, California. Initial investigations by local authorities uncovered signs of drug use at the scene, and subsequent toxicology reports confirmed that fentanyl intoxication was the cause of death.
Just ten days later, another sailor from the Lincoln experienced an overdose but survived. This sailor, identified as “C.L.,” cooperated with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in describing the drug distribution activities onboard the carrier. C.L. reported that Szramowski had been selling counterfeit Percocet pills for about a year, during both deployment and after returning to San Diego, California.
It is alleged that Szramowski used a P.O. box in Coronado, California, to receive the pills through the mail and sold them to fellow sailors via the mobile payment service CashApp. The complaint further states that Szramowski allegedly attempted to conceal his involvement in A.N.’s death by encouraging A.N.’s family to delete text messages between the two, fearing that the police could find these messages.
There is currently no information available about Szramowski’s military record or whether he faces any military justice charges. Similarly, details regarding his civilian legal defense remain undisclosed.
This case highlights the ongoing concerns about substance abuse within military ranks and the potentially devastating consequences of counterfeit drugs. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and support for mental health and addiction issues among service members.
Overall, one can hope that this situation will spur greater awareness and preventive measures within the military to combat the distribution of dangerous substances and to prioritize the health and well-being of all personnel.