Boulder County man set for trial in fentanyl overdose case

Nov. 21—A Boulder County man accused of selling fentanyl pills to a person who later died of an overdose is set for trial next year.

Terrelle Lucero, 25, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, three controlled substance charges, two controlled substance special offender charges, illegal possession of a firearm, introduction of contraband and driving under restraint, according to online court records.

Lucero is now set for a five-day trial starting March 13 and a motions hearing on Feb. 8.

He is out of custody on a $2,500 bond.

According to a release from the Boulder County District Attorney's Office, the Boulder County Drug Task Force identified Lucero as having sold fentanyl to a person who suffered a fatal overdose on April 25 in the city of Boulder.

On May 26, law enforcement officers arranged a controlled buy with Lucero, who was arrested at the exchange.

According to an arrest affidavit, Lucero denied having any fentanyl, but a search at the Boulder County Jail found more than 75 fentanyl pills on Lucero. Police also found a small black scale with white residue and a handgun in his vehicle.

Manslaughter can be charged in Colorado when a person "recklessly causes the death of another person."

Because of Colorado law at the time of the victim's death, Lucero faces a presumptive sentence of four to 12 years in prison if convicted of manslaughter. Since then, a new bill passed that increases the presumptive sentence to eight to 32 years years in prison.

Lucero could still be facing up to 32 years in prison due to the drug charges, some of which are special offender counts.

Lucero would be the second person to go to trial this year for manslaughter charges related to a fentanyl overdose death. Sammy Valdez was found guilty by a jury in October.