Akron man sentenced to 22 years for selling fentanyl which caused the death of a Wooster woman and firing a handgun during the robbery of an Akron grocery store

Justin E. Herdman, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio, announced today that Dayviaire Rogers, 27, of Akron, was sentenced to 264 months imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Patricia A. Gaughan. Rogers pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of fentanyl, interference with commerce by robbery, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence on February 7, 2020.

“Today’s sentence sends a strong message that selling fentanyl and violent crime will result in a lengthy prison term,” said U.S. Attorney Justin Herdman. “We will continue to seek long prison sentences for individuals who sell opioids in our neighborhoods and who use firearms to commit acts of violence.”

According to court documents, on March 16, 2019, Rogers sold a substance containing fentanyl to a Wooster woman who used the substance several hours later at a Wadsworth bar, causing her death. Medical examiners later determined the cause of death to be acute fentanyl intoxication.

While investigators from the DEA, Wadsworth Police Department, and the Medina County Drug Task Force were investigating the overdose death, investigators from the ATF and the Akron Police Department were investigating an armed robbery on of an Akron grocery store.  As agents and prosecutors collaborated on the parallel investigations, they realized Rogers was suspected of both crimes.  On April 20, 2019, Rogers entered the grocery store wearing a mask and aimed a loaded handgun in the face of the store owner and her minor daughter. Rogers stole approximately $7,000 and discharged his firearm during the robbery.

A review of Rogers’ criminal record revealed he was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions. 

These investigations were conducted by the ATF, Drug Enforcement Administration, Medina County Drug Task Force, Medina County Prosecutor’s Office, Wadsworth Police Department and the City of Akron Police Department.  The matter was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher J. Joyce and Patrick P. Burke.