Drug dealer arrested for murder in Montgomery County

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas (KIAH) – A Montgomery County drug dealer has been arrested for allegedly giving fentanyl to one of his clients. The man, identified as Keian Alexander Cormier, was taken into custody on May 21.

On March 16, Montgomery County sheriff's deputies responded to a residence in Willis, about an hour outside of Houston. They found a 21-year-old man dead inside. Evidence found at the scene showed he may have overdosed on illicit substances. It was later confirmed that he died of a fentanyl overdose. The County Narcotics Enforcement Team (MOCONET) was called to assist in the investigation.

The team, along with Houston's High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area, teamed up in 2019 to discuss the region's fentanyl epidemic. In 2023 alone, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported that more than 2,100 people died from fentanyl overdoses. CW39's Idolina Peralez talks more about this epidemic.

In September 2023, the State House passed House Bill 6, stating that a person can be charged with “fentanyl murder” if they provide or distribute the illicit drug to a person who later dies of an overdose. Cormier was arrested by MOCONET and booked into the Montgomery County Jail. He is now charged with murder for providing fentanyl to the victim, which led to her death. He will remain in prison until his hearing.