GAYLORD — A 43-year-old Rapid City man was sentenced to seven years in federal prison Wednesday for his role in distributing fentanyl and heroin. The sentencing of Robert Graham Ward follows an investigation into a fatal drug overdose involving a 25-year-old man in early 2025.
U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey announced the sentence in Grand Rapids. The case began on Jan. 12, 2025, when first responders found a man dead at a hotel in Gaylord. A woman who was with the man cooperated with law enforcement, stating she had purchased the drugs from Ward the previous day.
Investigators used a witness to arrange a drug purchase from Ward under police supervision. When Ward arrived for the meeting, he was taken into custody. Police discovered several grams of heroin and fentanyl in his vehicle and later found more than 21 grams of fentanyl during a search of his Rapid City home.
Months after being informed his drugs caused a death, Ward was stopped by the Michigan State Police in Kalkaska County on April 4, 2025. During a search of his vehicle, troopers found 5.69 grams of a mixture containing fentanyl, heroin and xylazine, as well as 7.9 grams of methamphetamine. Xylazine is an animal tranquilizer that is resistant to the overdose-reversing drug naloxone.
U.S. Attorney VerHey emphasized the severity of the charges and the impact on the region. “Fentanyl distribution has devastated communities large and small across our district,” VerHey said. “In this case, the defendant’s persistent drug dealing can be tied to the tragic loss of a 25-year-old. Our office remains steadfast in bringing to justice those responsible for endangering our citizens through drug dealing.”
Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Detroit, said the case highlights the dangers posed by traffickers who ignore the lethal nature of the substances they sell. “Fentanyl trafficking continues to threaten lives and destroy families throughout Michigan,” Murphey said. “HSI remains committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to investigate and disrupt narcotics networks and to hold accountable those who endanger our communities with these lethal substances.”
The investigation was a joint effort by Homeland Security Investigations, Straits Area Narcotics Enforcement, the Traverse Narcotics Team and the Michigan State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vito S. Solitro prosecuted the case.