Man arrested for controlled substance homicide after deadly overdose of Sumner teen

Sumner Police have arrested a man they say provided fentanyl to two teens last year, which resulted in the overdose death of one of them. 

Police say on Feb. 1, 2022, 32-year-old Alan Marlon Gomez-Everisto gave fentanyl to a 15-year-old boy and his 16-year-old girlfriend. The 15-year-old died hours later. 

"We are seeing the tragedy from drugs across our state and our nation," said Brad Moericke, the Sumner Police Chief.  "The death of any minor is tragic and in a small community where so many people have ties, this hit our community very hard."    

Moericke says the teen overdosed in the parking lot of a Jack in the Box near his high school.

"Less than 1,000 feet from the school he should have been in," said Moericke.   

The suspect gave the teens Percocet to smoke, which turned out to be laced with fentanyl, according to court documents. The surviving teen told investigators that Gomez-Everisto couldn't find his regular dealer, so he went to someone else. Gomez-Everisto implied that these pills were stronger than what he would normally get. 

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Since the teen's death, detectives from Sumner and the Seattle Field Office of the Drug Enforcement Administration have been hunting for the person responsible. Investigators say text messages, witness statements and video evidence helped to play a large role in the arrests.

"The individual was on video at the restaurant where the juvenile overdosed," said Moericke. 

On Jan. 14, 2023, Gomez-Everisto was arrested in connection to the teen's death. 

At the time of the teen's death, he had been living in a tent nearby. When he was arrested, he was reportedly staying at his mother's house in Puyallup.

Gomez-Everisto was booked into the Pierce County Jail for controlled substance homicide and unlawful delivery of a controlled substance to a minor. 

"While the legislature currently debates the future of drug possession laws for adults in Washington, there can be little debate and absolutely no tolerance when it comes to persons dealing dangerous narcotic drugs to the youth in our communities. We hope this arrest brings some closure to the victim’s family and sends a strong message to those that deal drugs and prey on addiction," Sumner Police said in a press release.

Gomez-Everisto's mother spoke with FOX 13 and claims that her son only sells drugs for other people and they "they would hurt him when he doesn't sell the drugs for them." 

"Is this the help he could need, then? Getting arrested and going through this process," said Maria Gomez-Everisto, Alan's mother. "Everything happens for a reason. God knows what he’s doing…maybe he’s going to change, maybe he’s going to get worse."

During a court appearance on Wednesday, a judge addressed the possibility that Gomez-Everisto wasn't a U.S. citizen. 

"As a result of that for any non us citizen arrested or detained, you may request we notify your country’s consulate of your arrest or detainment."

Gomez-Everisto is being held on $250,000 bail.