Teen sentenced up to 30 years in prison for 15-year-old's fatal fentanyl overdose

A 19-year-old Des Moines woman was sentenced to up to 30 years in prison for causing a fentanyl overdose that killed a 15-year-old.

Johnniemae Carr pleaded guilty Jan. 28 to delivery of fentanyl causing the death of another. Evidence showed that the defendant provided William Anthony Pippins II a Percocet pill containing fentanyl on Aug. 23, 2023. He died at home.

District Judge Scott Rosenberg chose to give the defendant the full prison term allowed under the law. Because Ms. Carr was a juvenile at the time of the offense, the mandatory minimum prison term of 10 years did not apply. She must also pay $150,000 to the family of Mr. Pippins.

Mr. Pippins was going into his sophomore year at Hoover High School, “where he was looking forward to continuing to show his talents on the football field,” according to his obituary. He is survived by his mother, Latasha Jones; father, William Pippins; five siblings, and other family members.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Joseph Danielson, with assistance from Natalie Long. The investigation was led by Detective Matt Danner of the Des Moines Police Department.