DENVER — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Colorado), published as received.

DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Alexis Nicole Wilkins, age 28, of Colorado Springs was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison today for distributing fentanyl, resulting in the death of a high school student.

According to the plea agreement, on December 3, 2021, a juvenile overdosed during class at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs.  First responders attempted life-saving measures, and transported the juvenile to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.  The El Paso County Coroner determined the cause of death was “fentanyl intoxication.”  Investigators spoke with two juvenile witnesses who were with the victim in a school restroom that morning.  One juvenile witness provided statements that she and the victim used ”Percocet” in the bathroom that morning.  Investigators were able to track where the juveniles got the pill through Facebook messages with the defendant, including a conversation which appears to be the one arranging the sale of a pill at the Citadel Mall in Colorado Springs the night before the victim’s death.  One of the juvenile witnesses said she was introduced to the defendant by a Denver gang member in February 2021, and had been purchasing “percs” from the defendant.  One witness noted the pill they purchased on December 2, 2021, looked different and was a lighter blue color than what they had received previously. Other Facebook messages indicate the defendant knew the pills she was selling were not made by a pharmaceutical company.  On March 15, 2022, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Colorado Springs Police Department executed a federal search warrant on the defendant’s home on West Portal Drive in Colorado Springs.  Officers located and seized over 100 blue pills marked with “M” and “30,” which contained fentanyl. Investigators believe some of the pills were packaged for distribution.

“Fentanyl continues to kill innocent victims in Colorado, including teenagers,” said U.S. Attorney Cole Finegan.  “As our hearts go out to the victim, her family, and her friends, I ask everyone in Colorado to be on guard and share the message with others.  Unless a drug comes from a pharmacist, please do not take it.  Any illicit drug could contain fentanyl and, if it does, it could kill you.”

“Alexis Wilkins sold poison to unsuspecting kids in Colorado Springs. No prison sentence can bring back her victim or undo the harm she caused; this outcome does mean she is no longer selling deadly drugs,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek “FBI Denver is always ready and willing to assist partners like the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office when it comes to halting the distribution of illegal drugs and making our communities safer.”

Judge Christine M. Arguello sentenced the defendant on May 11, 2023.  After serving her custodial sentence, the defendant will have three years on supervised release.  

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Denver Division, the Colorado Springs Police Department Metro, Vice, Narcotics, and Intelligence (MVNI) Unit, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office participated in the investigation. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Peter McNeilly and Alyssa Mance.

CASE NUMBER: 22-cr-101-CMA