A Mabelvale man was sentenced Tuesday to 20 years in federal prison for distributing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl that resulted in a fatal overdose, federal officials announced.
Johnny Lee Underwood, 27, was ordered to serve 240 months behind bars followed by three years of supervised release by U.S. District Judge Brian S. Miller. Because there is no parole in the federal prison system, Underwood will serve the entirety of his sentence.
The sentencing stems from a June 30, 2023, incident when officers from the Little Rock Police Department responded to an emergency call regarding a suspected overdose. Paramedics attempted to revive the victim at the scene but were unsuccessful.
During the initial investigation, authorities discovered the victim had ingested a blue pill earlier that day. Inside the victim’s wallet, officers recovered a small blue pill stamped with “M/30″—a marking designed to make the counterfeit drug resemble pharmaceutical-grade oxycodone.
A subsequent investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Underwood had sold approximately four of these counterfeit pills to the victim and the victim’s girlfriend. Within hours of the transaction, the victim ingested a portion of one pill, overdosed, and died. An autopsy conducted by the Arkansas State Crime Laboratory later confirmed the cause of death was fentanyl toxicity.
Underwood was indicted by a federal grand jury in August 2023 on charges of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and distribution of fentanyl. He pleaded guilty to the fatal distribution charge on February 4, 2026.
Federal authorities used the sentencing to highlight the ongoing threat of synthetic opioids in local communities.
“Sadly, here is yet another proof that ‘One pill can kill,'” said Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas, in a statement. “These toxic drugs are harmful to our citizens… but an addiction should not equate to death; and for those like Underwood who knowingly sell fentanyl and someone dies as a result, our office will continue working with our law enforcement partners to hold you accountable.”
Jason Van Goor, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Little Rock Field Office, reiterated the commitment to targeting illicit drug sales. “Those responsible for spreading this poison will be held accountable. The FBI will continue working tirelessly to remove dangerous drugs from our streets and pursue individuals who profit from putting lives at risk.”
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Little Rock Police Department, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Fields.
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