A Lancaster County woman was recently sentenced for providing fentanyl-laced heroin that caused a Manheim man’s death in 2017.

Cynara L. Reich, 29 pleaded guilty to felony drug delivery resulting in death and related counts regarding a fatal overdose on Dec. 9, 2017, at an East Gramby Street home.

Police determined Reich purchased heroin in Lancaster city and then provided it to the victim, who was her boyfriend at the time. They both used, together, the heroin Reich purchased.

Lancaster County Judge Merrill Spahn sentenced Reich to time served to seven years, per a plea agreement.

Although the minimum sentence is time served, that does not mean Reich will be immediately paroled. The agreement involved a state-prison sentence, so Reich will be transported to a state prison for treatment, to include drug-alcohol programs, before she goes before the parole board.

Upon release, she will serve about five years on parole. She has been in prison since her arrest in December 2017.

Assistant District Attorney Barry Goldman arranged the plea agreement.

Manheim Borough police Detective Jeffrey Kiesel filed charges.

The investigation revealed that Reich was not a legitimate dealer, in that she was not distributing to numerous people. Rather, she provided for her boyfriend and also used the purchased bags.

The Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office continues to use discretion in prosecution of drug delivery resulting in death cases. That involves an evaluation of whether the defendant is a profiting dealer or a person selling to support their own addiction.

Reich was the latter.

For comparison, two men (Erick Salome-Chevere and Eric Montanez) were recently sentenced to longer prison terms, per plea agreements, because they were determined to be legitimate dealers. Both were found with quantities of heroin (in addition to what they provided in the fatalities).

Cooperation with police and prior record are also factors for consideration in plea resolutions, including Reich’s case.

MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright