A sailor in the U.S. Navy has been charged in federal court for allegedly distributing fentanyl-laced Percocet pills, an act linked to the overdose death of another sailor stationed on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln in 2023. The accused, identified as Bailey Szramowski, faces serious allegations regarding the distribution of counterfeit pills, which have resulted in multiple overdoses among sailors.
Court documents indicate that the tragic events began on January 3, 2023, when a sailor designated as “A.N.” died from a fentanyl overdose while visiting family in San Leandro, California. Law enforcement discovered indications of drug use at the scene, with subsequent toxicology reports confirming fentanyl as the cause of death.
Following A.N.’s death, another sailor, referred to as “C.L.,” experienced an overdose ten days later but survived. This sailor provided key information to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, revealing that he and A.N. had been purchasing the counterfeit Percocet pills from Szramowski for approximately a year. Allegations suggest that Szramowski orchestrated transactions while aboard the carrier during its 2022 deployment and upon returning to San Diego by utilizing a P.O. Box in Coronado, California, and facilitating payments through the CashApp platform.
Additionally, Szramowski is accused of attempting to obstruct the investigation by urging A.N.’s family to erase text messages between him and A.N. on A.N.’s phone. He reportedly expressed concerns about facing murder charges if the police investigated those messages, but the family chose not to comply with his request.
While details regarding Szramowski’s military service and any potential Uniform Code of Military Justice charges remain unclear, the gravity of these allegations brings significant attention to the pressing issue of substance abuse within military ranks.
This incident underscores the critical need for enhanced awareness and preventive measures against drug misuse among service members, prompting discussions about mental health resources and addiction support systems within the armed forces.
In a hopeful perspective, this case might catalyze better educational programs and support to combat substance abuse in the military, paving the way for healthier environments and safer communities for sailors and all personnel.