Bronx and Queens men indicted in fatal fentanyl poisoning at FIT dorm

Two young men from the Bronx and Queens face federal charges over a fentanyl poisoning on March 18 that killed one college student and nearly killed another in a Manhattan dorm, according to an indictment prosecutors unsealed Thursday. One of the men is also accused of raping the student who died.

Prosecutors identified the men as Moises Freire, 19, of the Bronx, and Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18, of Queens. The court papers do not name the school, but a defense attorney identified it as the Fashion Institute of Technology at an earlier hearing. Freire did not attend FIT.

What prosecutors say happened in the FIT dorm

According to prosecutors, Freire brought drugs to the two women in their undergraduate residence hall and assured them it was cocaine from Mexico, free of fentanyl. Both lost consciousness shortly after taking it. The indictment alleges that Freire then raped one of them while the other lay unconscious a few feet away.

Roughly 45 minutes went by before he went to campus security, prosecutors say, and during that stretch he sent pictures of the women to others. He then allegedly claimed they had just drunk too much. Security staff recognized fentanyl poisoning, gave the women Narcan and had them taken to hospitals, where testing found fentanyl rather than cocaine. One student came to and was later released. The other never regained consciousness and died on March 21, according to the indictment.

Earlier, prosecutors say, Freire told Peralta Cabrera he wanted drugs that would “last the entire night” and called it a “win-win situation” if the drugs were potent enough to leave the women hooked. Peralta Cabrera allegedly provided the fentanyl knowing whom it was meant for.

Charges and possible prison sentence

Each man faces one conspiracy count over drug distribution that led to a death and serious injury. A conviction on that count means at least 20 years behind bars, and the sentence could reach life. Freire alone faces two further counts: supplying drugs that caused death and serious injury, and supplying drugs with the intent to commit rape.

In April, court records show, the two entered not-guilty pleas to the case’s earlier charges. Lawyers for Freire and Peralta Cabrera had not answered requests for comment. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the conduct described in the case “as sick and twisted as they come.” U.S. Attorney Jamie McDonald said the office would keep guarding college communities against those who “weaponize narcotics to exploit vulnerable victims.”