Following a jury trial, Kenneth Sadler and Demarco Tempo were convicted on multiple drug, gun, and obstruction charges for their roles in a opioid distribution network that caused the overdose deaths of several victims. Tempo was then sentenced to 30 years in prison, while Sadler was sentenced to 35 years. On appeal, both Defendants argued that the evidence to convict them was insufficient and that the trial court had given erroneous jury instructions. Sadler additionally raised two evidentiary issues, and Tempo additionally argued that he had been sentenced under a provision that was unconstitutionally vague.
On appeal, the Sixth Circuit affirmed the convictions of both defendants and the sentence of Tempo, but vacated Sadler’s sentence and remanded his case for a new trial on the limited issue of whether he was within the “chain of distribution” of the drugs that resulted in the victims’ deaths.
Appeal from the Eastern District of Michigan
Opinion by Clay, joined by Daughtrey and Cole
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