FARGO - A Park River man accused of providing fentanyl that resulted in an overdose death has been sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Twenty-six-year-old Zachary Chyle pleaded guilty in March to a pair of charges involving distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death.
Authorities say Chyle told investigators he provided fentanyl in August 2016 to 30-year-old Eugene Mecham, of Grafton. Mechem's body was discovered by his father in the basement of the family home. An autopsy said it was a "sudden and unexpected death'' associated with fentanyl intoxication.
Fentanyl is so powerful that some police departments have warned officers not to even touch it.
U.S District Judge Ralph Erickson also ordered Chyle to serve five years of supervised release and pay restitution of nearly $7,900.