A 39-year-old Orange man has been sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a fatal overdose, Acting U.S. Attorney Abe McGlothin, Jr. announced.
Lawrence Duguett Hardin, Jr. pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone on April 1, 2025.
According to court records, law enforcement officers responded to an overdose death in Humble, Texas, on August 17, 2023. The autopsy determined the victim died from the toxic effects of fentanyl. An investigation identified Hardin as the supplier. A subsequent search of Hardin’s residence in Orange resulted in the seizure of 365.2 grams of fentanyl.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, FBI, Orange Police Department, Houston Police Department, West Orange Police Department, Bridge City Police Department, Harris County Constable’s Office Precinct 4, Jefferson County Crime Laboratory, and Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jonathan Lee and Rachel Grove.
