Fentanyl Charge in the Death of a University Student in the United States

In a federal investigation in the United States concerning the death of a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York and the severe poisoning of another student, two young defendants appeared before a judge. The 19‑year‑old Moises Freire and the 18‑year‑old Brian Peralta Cabrera are charged with conspiring to distribute fentanyl. Both defendants denied the charges.

The Substance Allegedly Labeled as Cocaine Turns Out to Be Fentanyl

According to the prosecutor’s indictment, the incident occurred on March 18, 2026, in a university dormitory in Manhattan. It is alleged that Freire handed the substance to two students, claiming it was cocaine, but toxicology tests later identified it as fentanyl.

Prosecutors said the two students lost consciousness shortly after taking the substance. One survived after emergency intervention, while the other died on March 21 due to complications from the severe poisoning.

Serious Charges Filed Against the Defendants

The prosecution alleges that Freire supplied the fentanyl he obtained from Cabrera to the students. According to the indictment, Freire had previously described the same substance as a poison, yet he gave it to the students, claiming it was cocaine.

Freire is also accused of sexually assaulting a student who lost consciousness. Prosecutors claim that after the incident they waited about 45 minutes to call for help and initially told university security that the students had taken too much alcohol. These allegations have not yet been proven in court.

Potential Minimum 20-Year Prison Sentence

Both defendants are charged with participating in a controlled‑substance distribution conspiracy that resulted in death and serious bodily injury. The charge carries a minimum 20‑year prison term if convicted; the maximum penalty can reach life imprisonment.

Freire also faces additional charges of distributing controlled substances for the purpose of sexual assault. According to prosecutors, a third party linked to the case, Harry Rosales Pino, pleaded guilty to the drug‑distribution conspiracy in September. Pino is expected to appear at his sentencing hearing in December.

Security Measures at University Increased

Following the incident, FIT administration announced that it had reviewed campus security protocols and staff training and strengthened certain measures. The university also said that support services for students and employees remain in place.