TAMPA, Fla. – Marquis Lamar McCullough, 39, of Tampa, known as “Slim,” has been sentenced to life imprisonment by U.S. District Judge William F. Jung after being found guilty of distributing fentanyl that resulted in the deaths of two individuals.
The sentencing, delivered on Monday, comes after a federal jury convicted McCullough on February 13, 2025, on two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
Judge Jung ordered that McCullough serve a life sentence for each distribution count and a 30-year sentence for the possession charge. These sentences will run consecutively to the prison sentences he is currently serving in the Florida Department of Corrections.
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The case unfolded following investigations into the separate deaths of two Hillsborough County residents, K.K. and N.M., in April and May of 2021.
According to court records and trial evidence, on April 22, 2021, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies conducted a wellness check at the residence of K.K. Upon entering his apartment, they discovered K.K. deceased and found two baggies containing small amounts of fentanyl. A review of K.K.’s cellphone revealed communication with a woman who had apparently assisted him in purchasing fentanyl the previous evening.
Further investigation led detectives to the woman, who explained that K.K.’s usual heroin source was unavailable, prompting him to ask her to procure fentanyl from her supplier. The woman arranged a meeting with McCullough, her supplier, purchased the fentanyl, and then provided it to K.K. She subsequently provided McCullough’s phone number to the investigating detectives.
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Just weeks later, on May 6, 2021, the son of N.M. discovered his father deceased in his bed and contacted 911. HCSO deputies and detectives responded to the scene and found a baggie containing a small quantity of fentanyl inside N.M.’s wallet. Examination of N.M.’s phone records revealed that the last three calls made were to McCullough’s phone number. The call and text history indicated that McCullough was N.M.’s supplier.
Later the same day, detectives devised a plan to purchase fentanyl from McCullough, utilizing N.M.’s cellphone to arrange a meeting. When McCullough arrived at the designated location, he attempted to call N.M. When his calls went unanswered, McCullough fled the area. An arrest team pursued his vehicle and successfully apprehended him.
The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner’s Office conducted investigations into both deaths and determined that the use of fentanyl was the direct cause of death for both K.K. and N.M.
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