Man Convicted Of Manslaughter In Fentanyl Death Of Colorado Teen

AURORA, CO — An Arapahoe County jury on Tuesday found a man guilty of manslaughter, among other charges, after officials said he gave fentanyl to a 16-year-old girl who later died of an overdose.

Jorge Alexander Che-Quiab, 26, supplied alcohol, marijuana and fentanyl to a group of underage girls at his home on Aug. 6, 2020, according to a news release from the district attorney's office. Noticing that the girl was not breathing, someone called 911 the next morning, and Che-Quiab flushed the remaining drugs down the toilet while waiting for the paramedics, prosecutors said.

The girl was pronounced dead at the scene.

An investigation found that Che-Quiab had sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl the same night, and more than 300 fentanyl pills and several bricks of Heroin were found in his apartment, according to the news release.

Che-Quiab was charged with first-degree murder, felony murder, two counts of distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, two counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, sexual assault of a child, enticement of a child, three counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, sexual assault (victim under 15) and attempted sexual assault, the news release said.

He pleaded not guilty.

Che-Quiab's trial began on April 25 and lasted six days, with the jury returning guilty verdicts on the charges of manslaughter, distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, possession of controlled substance with intent to distribute, sexual assault of a child and sexual assault (victim under 15).

"This defendant used alcohol and extremely dangerous drugs to manipulate these girls for his own selfish purposes," said Chris Gallo, chief deputy district attorney, who tried the case with chief deputy Darcy Kofol. "When it became clear one of them needed immediate medical care, he callously chose to do nothing."

Che-Quiab's sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 21 at 3 p.m., the news release said. He faces imprisonment of eight years to 116 years to life.

"This is yet another tragic case underscoring the danger that fentanyl and other synthetic opioids pose," District Attorney John Kellner said. "My office will continue to aggressively prosecute those who distribute these poisons in our community."