NYC Gazette

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Keith Wyche was sentenced by United States District Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 40 years in prison for the distribution of heroin and fentanyl causing the death of a Staten Island man, distribution of heroin causing the overdose of a Staten Island woman, conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl, and distribution of heroin and fentanyl. Wyche and co-defendant Oneil Allen were convicted by a federal jury in February 2023 following a three-week trial. Allen was previously sentenced to 30 years in prison.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, James E. Dennehy, Special Agent-in-Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Newark Field Office (FBI), and Edward A. Caban from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), announced the sentence.

“Both defendants have been punished with very long jail sentences for pushing drugs, including heroin and fentanyl, which tragically claimed the life of one victim and nearly killed another member of our Staten Island community,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “I commend the outstanding work of the NYPD and the FBI in determining who was responsible for trafficking these drugs and holding them accountable for the pain, death and harm they caused.”

“Addiction is an unbelievably insidious and grotesque demon. Drugs envelop and take over people's lives, and the criminals who supply them use the disease to cash in on everyone else's pain. Both Wyche and Allen have now been served justice for the injustice they inflicted on their victims,” stated FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Dennehy.

“Today’s sentencing marks a victory in the NYPD’s battle against illicit drug trafficking and serves as a reminder of our unwavering commitment to hold accountable anyone who puts monetary gain above the lives of New Yorkers,” stated NYPD Commissioner Caban. “We vow to keep pursuing those who peddle illegal drugs in our neighborhoods, and we commend all of our law enforcement partners for their continuing efforts to help stem the opioid crisis.”

Between February 2017 and September 2018, the defendants operated a drug delivery service in Staten Island selling heroin and fentanyl while preying upon those suffering from narcotics addiction. Each day, Wyche and Allen sent out mass text messages advertising that they were open for business. After receiving orders from their customers, they would drive to preselected locations to hand-deliver drugs before returning to a New Jersey apartment where they packaged narcotics.

On April 18, 2017, a 43-year-old Staten Island man (John Doe) was found dead in his bathroom by his father. When NYPD detectives responded, they found a syringe containing fentanyl on the floor near his body along with glassines containing fentanyl. The detectives reviewed John Doe’s phone and discovered recent text messages between him and "Marco 5," later identified as Wyche.

On October 27, 2017, a then-28-year-old Staten Island woman (Jane Doe) purchased heroin from Wyche and Allen but suffered an overdose after ingesting it. First responders saved her life by administering Narcan quickly before transporting her to a hospital. A review of Jane Doe’s phone revealed text messages similar to those found on John Doe’s phone. Jane Doe testified at trial that she frequently purchased heroin from Wyche and Allen before assisting law enforcement in gathering additional evidence against them.

The case is being handled by the Organized Crime and Gangs Section alongside the General Crimes Section. Assistant United States Attorneys Irisa Chen and Gilbert Rein are leading the prosecution with assistance from Paralegal Specialist Teri Carby. Assistant United States Attorney Claire S. Kedeshian from the Office’s Asset Recovery Section is managing forfeiture matters.

The Defendants:

KEITH WYCHE

Age: 38

Staten Island, New York

ONEIL ALLEN

Age: 31

Staten Island, New York

E.D.N.Y Docket No.: 18-CR-561 (S-1) (DLI)