HSI El Paso Special Agents Arrest Colorado Man for Allegedly Distributing Fentanyl That Killed Texas Resident

ALPINE, Texas — Special agents assigned to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) El Paso’s Alpine office arrested a Colorado man in Denver May 11 on criminal charges related to his alleged possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

HSI and the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Criminal Investigation Division are investigating the case with assistance from the Alpine Police Department, the Brewster County Sheriff’s Office, and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

According to the indictment, Douglas Christopher Steele, 53, of Denver, allegedly conspired with others to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, which contained a detectable amount of fentanyl. The indictment alleges that Steele’s alleged fentanyl distribution resulted in the death of an Alpine resident.

Steele made his initial appearance May 14 in a federal court in Denver. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute fentanyl and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl. If convicted, he faces 20 years to life in prison for each count. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Amy Greenbaum is prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.