Historic Ruling in Fentanyl Overdose Case
Brandon McDowell, 25, has been held liable for $5.8 million after selling a fentanyl-laced pill that led to the death of 20-year-old college student Alexandra Capelouto. The judgment, won by the Capelouto family in Riverside County Superior Court, is one of the first civil cases to hold a drug dealer financially responsible for an overdose death.
The case sets a precedent in the battle against the rising fentanyl crisis, with Alexandra’s father, Matt Capelouto, leading the charge for stricter accountability. “We’ve won the battle but not the war,” he said, emphasizing the ongoing need for legal reforms.
A Tragic Transaction
In December 2019, Alexandra, a sophomore in college, contacted McDowell to purchase Percocet, a prescription painkiller. Instead, McDowell sold her counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid deadly in even small doses. Hours later, Alexandra was found dead in her home in Temecula, California.
Fentanyl overdoses have become a leading cause of death in the U.S., with over 74,000 fatalities in 2023 alone. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that synthetic opioids like fentanyl are a growing crisis.
Civil and Criminal Liability
McDowell was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in 2022, receiving a nine-year prison sentence. However, Alexandra’s parents pursued additional civil action, believing his punishment was insufficient for the gravity of his crime.
The family’s attorney, Baruch Cohen, declared the judgment a landmark victory. “This judgment will haunt him for the rest of his life,” Cohen said. The Capelouto family also ensured McDowell could not evade his debt by filing for bankruptcy. A federal court upheld the $5.8 million ruling, including interest.
Family’s Battle for Justice
Alexandra’s father expressed deep dissatisfaction with the original criminal sentence. “For taking someone’s life, that was not a fair sentence,” he said, stressing his resolve to seek justice. The Capeloutos believe that holding dealers like McDowell accountable through both civil and criminal measures is crucial in combating the fentanyl epidemic.
Opposition and Defense
Brandon McDowell’s father, Justin McDowell, defended his son, stating that both he and Alexandra were struggling with addiction. “My son is no drug dealer at all. They were both users,” he said, expressing frustration that his son was being made solely responsible for the tragedy. He added that his family lacked the resources to fight the lawsuits and believed the Capeloutos were seeking revenge.
Despite Justin McDowell’s claims, the court held that Brandon crossed a line from user to dealer, which justified the Capeloutos’ pursuit of justice. “When you go from drug user to drug dealer, you cross a line from needing help to needing to be held accountable,” Matt Capelouto said.
