WASHINGTON COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 28, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — A Hurricane teen is facing a charge of class A misdemeanor negligent homicide after he allegedly sold heroin to a person who later died of an overdose.
A probable cause statement from the 5th District Court of St. George said Gadge Leelynd Christensen, 19, is also facing a charge of second-degree felony distribute/offer/arrange distribution of a controlled substance.
Christensen was arrested Friday at approximately 11:25 p.m.
The probable cause statement for Christensen said that on Jan. 7, detectives from the Washington City Police Department responded to the call of an overdose death.
“The victim was found to be deceased from what appeared to be an overdose of heroin,” the statement said. “In the area where detectives found the victim there was paraphernalia along with heroin residue located.”
Detectives then served a search warrant at the residence in Hurricane where Christensen was residing.
“Upon service of the search warrant, Gadge was located at the residence and interviewed,” the statement said. “During the interview Gadge explained to detectives that he had been the one who had arranged and sold the heroin that the victim had used the night they overdosed.”
During the interview with Christensen he stated that he knew heroin is potentially deadly.
“He stated that he had a friend who had overdosed a couple years prior on heroin,” the statement said. “At this time he did not bring up the victim’s name who he had sold the heroin to. When detectives asked specifically about the victim Gadge admitted he knew that the victim had overdosed and he had provided the heroin that was used.”
Christensen was then placed under arrest and booked into Washington County Jail. He is accused of committing the felony while on probation or parole, or while free on bail awaiting trial on a previous felony charge.
Officials did not release the name of the person who overdosed.
