Five people have been charged in connection with the 2023 overdose deaths of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, and two other 19-year-olds in New York.
The suspects, identified as Bruce Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant McIver, John Nicolas, and Roy Nicolas, are accused of running a fentanyl distribution network that allegedly sold fake prescription opioid pills to teenagers and young adults through social media and encrypted apps.
According to authorities, the drugs they sold were linked to the deaths of De Niro-Rodriguez, Akira Stein — daughter of Blondie co-founder Chris Stein — and another unnamed victim.
“Through their alleged actions, these defendants left behind a trail of irreversible loss that cut short the lives of three teenagers who held boundless potential,” said Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent Ricky Patel.
Investigators said the group sold thousands of fentanyl-laced pills between January and July 2023.
Stein reportedly died on May 30 after taking fake pills she bought from John and Roy Nicolas, while the unnamed victim died on June 13 after purchasing similar drugs from McIver.
De Niro-Rodriguez, who died on July 2, allegedly received pills from a dealer who sourced them from McIver, Epperson, and Barreto.
In a separate 2023 case, a woman was also arrested for allegedly selling De Niro-Rodriguez counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl, which led to his death.
Following the arrests, musician Chris Stein thanked authorities “for this hope of some justice” for his daughter.
Robert De Niro had described his grandson as “beloved” and said he was deeply distressed by his death.
If convicted, the suspects face a minimum of 20 years in prison and could receive life sentences.
