MARYSVILLE — A Marysville man was sentenced to 2½ years in prison and 2½ years on probation for selling fentanyl-laced pills that led to a fatal overdose in 2020.
Jesse Lott, 32, pleaded guilty in October to one count of controlled substance homicide in the death of Noah Jones, 24. The defendant sold counterfeit M30 oxycodone pills to Jones in December 2020, leading to his death six days later.
Lott had no other felony convictions.
On Monday, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge William Steffener handed down a sentence at the midpoint of state guidelines suggesting 4¼ to 5⅔ years — approving what’s known as a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative, or DOSA. It allows Lott to serve half of his sentence out of custody.
Lott’s defense attorney Robert O’Neal and deputy prosecutor Adam Sturdivant did not immediately respond to a reporter’s request for comment Tuesday.
Jones had recently returned to Arlington from substance abuse treatment, according to the charging papers from 2021. He bought from Lott on occasion, but a friend told the defendant to stop selling to Jones when he began recovery.
The day before his overdose, Jones was at a white elephant party with his friend, according to the charges. He asked Jones if he had been using or feeling urges to use. Jones told him no.
Around 7 p.m. on Dec. 20, 2020, Jones took the pills he picked up from Lott earlier that day in his Arlington home, according to charging papers. He told his sister he was going to take a shower.
Eleven minutes later, she called 911 — reporting Jones was unresponsive on the bathroom floor.
Medics transported him to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett. Jones died the day after Christmas from the overdose, according to the charges.
Toxicology reports found 4.7 nanograms of fentanyl in Jones’ blood, charging papers say. Jones had reportedly been sober for 10 months.
Police took Lott into custody in November 2021, almost a year after Jones’ death.
As of Tuesday, Lott faced another charge of residential burglary for an incident in Lake Stevens in September 2020. A plea hearing was scheduled for later this month.
Jones was born and raised in Arlington, according to an obituary published in The Daily Herald. He was a standout athlete, eventually playing basketball at Everett Community College. Jones was later a coach there and at Arlington High School.
The obituary also described him as loyal and compassionate. He wanted to become a special education teacher.
“Never in a hurry, but always seemingly on the move,” the obituary reads, “Noah managed to live his life in a way that grabbed others attention and attracted positive vibes and brought out the best in those close to him.”
Jonathan Tall contributed to this report.
Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
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