NYC Teen Accused of Supplying Fatal Fentanyl, Raping Unconscious Victim

A teenager is accused of supplying fentanyl to two female students at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan, resulting in one student's death and the other's critical condition, and then raping the unconscious victim. Prosecutors allege Moises Freire, 19, provided the deadly drug on March 18 to the students, who believed it was cocaine.

Freire and accomplice Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, are charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury. A federal grand jury has indicted them on these charges, which carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum of life.

According to a newly unsealed indictment, Freire allegedly wanted narcotics potent enough to last the women through the night and believed getting them addicted would be advantageous. He is quoted in the indictment as calling the prospect a "win win situation." Peralta Cabrera allegedly supplied Freire with fentanyl, aware of his plan.

Freire brought the substance to the students' dorm room, claiming it was "pure cocaine" and free of fentanyl. However, prosecutors state he was aware of its deadly nature, having previously described it as "fake" and "poison."

Both students lost consciousness shortly after ingesting the drugs. Freire did not consume any himself. While the students were incapacitated, Freire allegedly raped one of them. Prosecutors also allege that he waited approximately 45 minutes before seeking help. During this time, he photographed the unconscious students and sent the images to others.

When Freire alerted campus security, he initially lied, stating the students had only consumed too much alcohol. Campus security administered emergency medical assistance, including Narcan, a drug used to reverse opioid overdoses.

One student regained consciousness after treatment at a Manhattan hospital. The other remained in critical condition and never woke up. She was pronounced dead on March 21. The city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined her death was due to complications from acute fentanyl intoxication. Toxicology tests confirmed the presence of fentanyl in both students, with no traces of cocaine or other opioids.

Freire faces additional charges, including distributing narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury, and distributing a controlled substance with the intent to commit rape. He could face an additional maximum sentence of 20 years for these charges. Peralta Cabrera is also facing charges related to the drug distribution.

Both Freire and Peralta Cabrera pleaded not guilty to initial charges before the new indictment. They remain in federal custody. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the defendants as "sick and twisted as they come."