Colorado Woman Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Role in Teen’s Fentanyl Death

A 59-year-old Colorado Springs woman, Marlene McGuire, has been sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for her involvement in the death of a 16-year-old boy who ingested fentanyl-laced pills. McGuire is the final adult, following the boy’s mother Maria Cecilia Davis-Conchie and drug dealer Douglas Floyd, to be incarcerated in connection with the tragic incident.

Davis-Conchie, aged 49, was sentenced to 10 years in prison last year after admitting to providing drugs to her son and his friends prior to his death. Court documents reveal that Davis-Conchie introduced her son to McGuire and Floyd, who supplied the illicit substances.

Floyd also received a 10-year prison sentence for his role in the drug transactions that led to the teen’s death. McGuire, Davis-Conchie, and Floyd were all arrested in February 2022 by the Colorado Springs Police Department.

The 16-year-old victim, identified as Jameson Burkey, was found unconscious in his bedroom by family members on the morning of January 31, 2022. Burkey’s father had to break through the locked bedroom door and perform CPR on his son until paramedics arrived.

Prior to his death, Burkey and three friends had met with Floyd outside a Colorado Springs fire station, where Burkey purchased four blue pills for $40. The boys consumed one pill that night, and Burkey took the remaining three pills home.

Investigation and Findings

After Burkey’s passing, investigators discovered drug paraphernalia near his body and found evidence that he had ingested the pills. A baggie containing two blue pills stamped with “M30” was also found in Burkey’s dresser. Laboratory testing confirmed that the pills contained para-fluorofentanyl, fentanyl, lidocaine, and xylazine.

Burkey’s friends informed investigators that he believed he was purchasing Percocet from Floyd. They also revealed that Davis-Conchie had been supplying drugs to them for over a year, cautioning them not to consume excessive amounts of the pills.

To mark New Year’s Eve, Davis-Conchie had provided Xanax and LSD to her son and his friends, with the belief that LSD was a safe drug. She accompanied the boys to purchase drugs from McGuire near a Colorado Springs fire station.

Legal Proceedings and Sentencing

Following Burkey’s death, investigators obtained cell phone evidence of drug transactions between the boys and the three adults. Text messages revealed that McGuire had conducted multiple deals with Burkey and his friends in the weeks leading up to the teen’s demise.

A coroner’s report confirmed that Burkey died from fentanyl toxicity. Subsequent raids on McGuire and Floyd’s residence uncovered methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl hidden throughout the house.

Prosecutors argued for a severe sentence for McGuire, highlighting her deliberate involvement in drug dealing activities that led to the death of a minor. McGuire had a history of drug-related convictions and was still on parole at the time of the incident.

U.S. Attorney for the District of Colorado, Cole Finegan, expressed frustration over the tragic outcome, stating that “Fentanyl has once again claimed a young life, and it is enraging that an adult played a significant role in this untimely death.”

Davis-Conchie is currently incarcerated at Aliveville FCI facility in northern Alabama, while McGuire faces additional charges in El Paso County.

Memorial Service and Aftermath

A memorial service was held for Jameson Burkey at a Colorado Springs church on February 18, 2022. The pastor presiding over the service emphasized the tragedy of burying a 16-year-old and lamented the rise in fentanyl-related deaths nationwide.

Three days after Burkey’s passing, the CDC released a report on the escalating fentanyl crisis, underscoring the urgency of addressing drug-related fatalities.