Former Navy sailors plead guilty to selling fentanyl-laced pills

Two former U.S. Navy sailors, Bailey Szramowski, 29, and Johnnese Poomaihealani, 25, have pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. The pair, who are married, were assigned to the San Diego-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln.

Federal prosecutors stated that Szramowski sold counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl to fellow sailors, including during deployments. In December 2022, one sailor died from a fentanyl overdose after purchasing pills from Szramowski. Despite the death, Szramowski continued to sell pills to other crew members, leading to a second sailor being hospitalized following an overdose.

Court documents indicate that Szramowski attempted to cover his tracks by instructing the deceased sailor’s relatives to delete text messages, expressing fear that he could ‘go down for murder.’

Szramowski faces a minimum of five to 40 years in prison and a $5 million fine, while Poomaihealani faces up to 20 years and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for December 11.