Michigan Man Convicted of Dealing Heroin and Fentanyl

Prosecutors in DA Charme Allen’s Felony Drug Unit obtained convictions against a drug trafficker who brought heroin and fentanyl from Michigan to Knoxville. Denzel Damoan Washington, 27, was convicted of Delivery of Heroin in a Drug Free Zone, Possession with Intent to Sell Heroin in a Drug Free Zone, Possession with Intent to Sell Fentanyl in a Drug Free Zone, and Simple Possession of Marijuana. Judge Scott Green revoked Washington’s bond, ordered him into custody, and set the case for sentencing on February 21.

In a two-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys Molly Martin and Ken Irvine explained to the jury that on March 8, 2018, Knoxville Police Department Investigator Phil Jinks and other members of KPD’s Organized Crime Unit were working to apprehend Washington on an outstanding warrant from another drug trafficking investigation. Inv. Jinks received information from a confidential informant that Washington had just returned to Knoxville from Michigan. To locate Washington, Inv. Jinks used the informant to order heroin from Washington. After Washington delivered heroin to the informant, KPD officers took Washington into custody. During a subsequent interview, Washington produced a bag of heroin and fentanyl from inside the back of his pants.

“One part of the solution to the overdose epidemic is to stop the flow of drugs like heroin and fentanyl into our community,” said DA Charme Allen. “Taking these drugs off the street helped to save lives.”

Washington is facing between eight and twelve years without the possibility of parole on the heroin charges and three to six years on the fentanyl charge. In addition to finding Washington guilty, the jury also assessed fines totaling over $300,000.

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.