WESTCHESTER, N.Y. - Two Queens men have been indicted on federal drug trafficking charges in connection with the overdose death of a student in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District eaarlier this year.
Jordan Sharon, 19, and Juan Umpierrez, 20, were charged in a three-count indictment unsealed Nov. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
Federal prosecutors allege that the two men participated in a drug distribution conspiracy that resulted in the death of a minor after selling the teenager cocaine, MDMA and oxycodone. The indictment also alleges that drugs were sold near a school and to a person under the age of 21.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the teenager died at home in Westchester County two days after purchasing cocaine from Sharon in May. The Westchester County Medical Examiner's Office determined that the cause of death was intoxication from cocaine and MDMA.
Although federal authorities did not identify the victim or the school involved, the Katonah-Lewisboro School District notified families on May 26 that one of its students had died.
"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of one of our students," the district wrote at the time.
The district said it did not have permission to release the student's name and was respecting the family's privacy.
According to prosecutors, Sharon and Umpierrez operated a drug trafficking business from at least May through August 2026, advertising controlled substances for sale and delivery throughout the New York City metropolitan area.
The defendants allegedly used text messaging applications to distribute menus listing drugs and prices, including cocaine, ketamine, MDMA and oxycodone.
The messages claimed that the drugs had been tested and were authentic, offered shipping to all 50 states and advertised discounts for customers who referred new buyers.
Prosecutors allege that Umpierrez began communicating with the teenage victim in May and agreed to sell the minor cocaine.
Umpierrez then allegedly arranged for Sharon to deliver the drugs, providing the teenager with a phone number used by Sharon.
According to the indictment, Sharon subsequently communicated directly with the teenager and traveled from Queens to Westchester County on two occasions that month to make drug sales.
During the first transaction, Sharon allegedly sold cocaine, oxycodone and MDMA to the teenager in a parking lot around the corner from a local middle and high school campus.
During the second transaction, Sharon allegedly returned to Westchester County and sold the teenager cocaine.
Two days later, the teenager died after consuming drugs allegedly supplied by the defendants.
"A young life lost, a family forever shattered, all because of drug trafficking fueled by greed," DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts said in a statement.
"As alleged, these defendants sold dangerous drugs to a teenager near a school, who days later died from cocaine and MDMA intoxication," Roberts said.
He added that the DEA would continue targeting drug traffickers who endanger young people.
"Our children deserve to grow up in homes, schools, and communities free from those seeking to poison them," Roberts said.
NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch also condemned the alleged drug trafficking operation.
"As alleged, these defendants sold the illegal drugs — including cocaine, MDMA, and oxycodone — that claimed the life of a minor," Tisch said.
Both defendants face three federal charges.
The first, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The second, distribution of controlled substances near a school, carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The third, distribution of controlled substances to a minor, carries a mandatory minimum sentence of one year and a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald credited the Drug Enforcement Administration, New York City Police Department, Westchester County District Attorney's Office and Town of Bedford Police Department for their investigative work.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rita Maxwell of the Southern District of New York's Narcotics Unit.
The charges are allegations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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