LIMA — A Lima man charged with providing fentanyl to his wife, who died as a result of the recreational drug use, was sentenced Monday to three years in prison.
Judge Jeffrey Reed of Allen County Common Pleas Court handed down the maximum allowable sentence to David E. Lewis, 43, on reduced charges of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, and aggravated possession of drugs, a felony of the fifth degree.
Lewis was originally charged with involuntary manslaughter and corrupting another with drugs by providing a controlled substance in the Feb. 10 death of Cynthia Lewis, his wife. The defendant admitted in court Monday that his wife snorted fentanyl before her death, believing it to be cocaine. Lewis said he, too, had taken the drug and passed out, only to be revived by receiving a dose of Narcan.
In early October, Lewis entered a plea of guilty to the reduced charges contained in a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Before sentencing in Monday’s emotional hearing, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Tony Miler called the case an “unfortunate situation … a tragic case, to say the least.” Miller told the court, however, that amid the circumstances “it cannot be lost that the actions in the case resulted in another’s death.” The prosecutor said jail time was “appropriate” with the facts of the case.
Lima attorney William Kluge, representing Lewis, asked Reed for leniency and said his client intends to speak to students and civic groups on the dangers of drug abuse.
“I’m asking the court not to send him to prison,” Kluge said. “I think this incident has cured him of future recreational drug use. His wife was his best friend, and now he’s lost that. I think the line in this case is not quite so clear as it usually is.”
Reed was soft-spoken and pensive throughout the hearing. He conceded that Cynthia Lewis ingested drugs of her own free will and that David Lewis has exhibited “genuine remorse.” But the judge nonetheless said a prison sentence was “consistent with the seriousness of this crime.”
He sentenced Lewis to 36 months in prison on the reckless homicide charge and 12 months for aggravated possession of drugs. The sentences will be served concurrently and Lewis may apply for judicial release after serving six months in prison.
The sentence apparently came as a shock to family members in the courtroom — including a co-defendant who faces similar charges and who will be sentenced Wednesday — as cries of “No!” rang out as sentence was passed.
Seated in the crowd was Daniel Kill, the brother of Cynthia Lewis, who will be sentenced Wednesday on charges of reckless homicide, a third-degree felony, and possession of a schedule II drug, a felony of the fifth degree, related to Lewis’ death.
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David Lewis of Lima is led from the courtroom Monday to begin serving a 4-year prison sentence in the drug-related death of his wife, Cynthia.
