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LEHIGH VALLEY WEATHER

Bethlehem man arrested in fatal drug overdose of Lower Macungie Township resident

A Bethlehem man faces felony charges in a drug overdose death of a Lower Macungie Township woman in 2021, according to a news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office dated Sept. 21.

Eugene Lewis, 49, is charged with alleged drug delivery resulting in death, a felony of the first degree, according to authorities.

The news release detailed the case as follows:

At approximately 4:11 p.m. Oct. 11, 2021, Pennsylvania State Police Fogelsville troopers arrived at a residence in the 1700 block of Riverbend Road, Lower Macungie Township.

A 43-year-old woman was found dead in her bedroom.

The woman was identified by authorities as Leslie Sherman.

“Sherman died from mixed drug toxicity of Diphenhydramine, Acetyl Fentanyl, Fentanyl and Loperamide and her death was ruled accidental by the Lehigh County Coroner,” according to the news release.

During their investigation at the scene, troopers found several glassine baggies labeled “BROKE OPPS” as well as displaying a “danger” skull and sketch of Benjamin Franklin’s head, all in red ink.

The bags had indications of recent use, according to the news release.

A confidential informant found Sherman dead.

The informant told authorities Sherman and the informant were both heroin users. The confidential informant said they had bought heroin from a person in Bethlehem Oct. 9, 2021, two days before Sherman was found dead.

The confidential informant gave some of the bags of heroin to Sherman and kept other bags for personal use. The informant said the baggies had the “BROKE OPPS” stamp.

The informant told investigators they didn’t believe Sherman had gotten heroin from anyone else because the confidential informant usually got the drug for Sherman.

Investigation determined Lewis allegedly sold the “BROKE OPPS” heroin to the confidential informant. Several undercover drug buys were then arranged and conducted. During those undercover drug purchases, the heroin had the same stamp as the ones found near Sherman’s body at the time of her death, according to authorities.

Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine usually used to treat allergy and cold symptoms. Acetyl Fentanyl and Fentanyl, both opioids, are considered controlled substances. According to the Mayo Clinic website, Loperamide is used to treat digestive issues.