A Queens prostitute on Thursday, Aug. 26 pleaded guilty in Brooklyn federal court to distributing narcotics that caused two fatal overdoses during the summer of 2019.
Angelina Barini, 43, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Ramon E. Reyes Jr. Thursday, and pleaded guilty to two counts of distributing narcotics that caused the deaths of a person; one count of distributing methamphetamine and cocaine and one count of conspiring to distribute gamma-butyrolactone (GBL).
According to court filings, between July and August of 2019, Barini provided narcotics to her victims while sometimes conducting business as a sex worker. On multiple occasions, those narcotics contained lethal doses of fentanyl.
On July 11, 2019, Barini met with a victim at Woodside’s Crown Motor Inn and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs, causing the victim’s overdose death.
On Aug. 5, 2019, Barini met another victim at a residence in College Point, and gave him fentanyl-laced drugs which caused his overdose death.
On July 4, 2019, Barini distributed and possessed with intent to distribute controlled substances containing fentanyl, methamphetamine and cocaine.
Additionally, between Aug. 16, 2019, and Aug.18, 2019, Barini conspired with another person to distribute a substance containing GBL, a Schedule I controlled substance analog, commonly referred to as a “date rape” drug.
“With today’s guilty plea, Barini takes responsibility for her actions in distributing lethal doses of opioids that caused the deaths of unsuspecting victims, shattering the lives of their families,” Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis said. “This Office is committed to ending the opioid epidemic and prosecuting defendants like Barini who cause senseless, drug-related deaths in our communities.”
Barini is due back in court Oct. 26 for sentencing. She faces a minimum of 20 years’ imprisonment and a maximum term of life imprisonment.
“The scourge of addiction takes many forms, but one of its most devastating effects is that beyond the direct victims of drug overdoses, are the families who lose loved ones too soon,” Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent-in-Charge Peter C. Fitzhugh said. “Fentanyl is deadly regardless of social status, age, gender and ethnicity. Barini has no regard for her victims, but has made the right choice by taking responsibility for her actions. HSI and its partners remain resolute in pursuing those who profit from this lethal opioid epidemic.”
