Almost one year after two fatal overdoses at the 2013 Electric Zoo Festival, a man has been arrested for allegedly supplying drugs to one of the victims. Patrick Morgan, 23, was arrested this morning after being accused of selling Molly to victim Jeffrey Russ and two others. Per The New York Times, Morgan is faced with charges of narcotics distribution and narcotics conspiracy after selling at least $1,000 worth of pills containing MDMA at the festival. His charges could amount to up to a 20-year sentence.
After taking the drugs, Russ collapsed and had a seizure during the concert, and was then taken to the hospital, where he eventually died of an overdose and a 108-degree fever.
In order to catch Morgan, D.E.A special agents recruited one of his friends to text with him about the incident.
Last year's Electric Zoo Festival claimed another victim as well, 21-year-old Olivia Rotondo, who also died of an MDMA overdose and overheating. Officials could not say if Morgan or others are being investigated for her death in addition to Russ'. The last day of the festival was cancelled as a result of the two deaths.
Morgan's arrest comes amid increasing scrutiny of Electric Zoo Festival and other events of its kind, after a string of MDMA-related overdoses. Similar tragedies have occurred at festivals like Vegas' Electric Daisy Carnival and Miami's Ultra Music Festival.
"It bears repeating that every time people use drugs like 'Molly' they are rolling the dice with their own lives, which is a foolish and senseless wager," said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara in reference to the issue.
In spite of the controversy, this year's Electric Zoo Festival is set to begin Aug. 29 on Randalls Island. As previously reported, the festival's organizers have promised increased security measures for this year's event, including drug-sniffing dogs. Headliners include David Guetta and Kaskade.
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