TWO HARBORS — A man who sold fentanyl pills that led to a woman’s overdose death will avoid prison time if he completes 10 years of supervised probation.
Devon Jonathan Hanel, 22, of Two Harbors, was granted a departure from state sentencing guidelines last week after pleading guilty in October to aiding and betting third-degree murder.
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Judge Nicole Hopps stayed an 86-month prison term in favor of community supervision for Hanel’s role in the April 2023 death of Andrea Marie Scribner, 35, at a hotel in Two Harbors.
Still facing the same charge is Josephine Marie Dehnhoff, 24, of Two Harbors.
Scribner was found at the Country Inn, 1204 Seventh Ave., on April 17 after family members reported that they had not heard from her. The victim, who worked at the hotel and was having a "staycation" in one of the rooms, had apparently been dead "for some time."
Investigators located several pill containers, including some pills marked "M30." Two Harbors police had received another call that same day about M30 pills — counterfeit oxycodone capsules often laced with fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.
A medical examiner later confirmed Scribner died from an accidental fentanyl overdose. Her husband reported that she previously struggled with addiction and went through treatment, but he was not aware she was using pills again.
Police went on to obtain Facebook messages in which a "Devon Black" was seen discussing Scribner with another person, who then informed Hanel that she was dead.
Hanel and Dehnhoff had been arrested and charged in July 2023 after selling M30 pills laced with fentanyl to a 16-year-old. Hanel admitted at the time that he used the pills and that the "Devon Black" Facebook account belonged to him.
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Asked about Scribner, he reported that he "helped her out a few times," saying the last occasion was a few days before her death, providing a timeframe consistent with when the victim was last seen entering the hotel.
Hanel stated Scribner purchased five or six "percs" (Percocet) for "like 60 bucks or something" and that it was Dehnhoff who ran the pills to her and accepted payment. Investigators reviewed text messages that confirmed the circumstances.
Dehnhoff later claimed in a court filing that Hanel was selling drugs without her knowledge, but police said that assertion was undercut by messages she had exchanged with both Hanel and Scribner.
Hanel’s attorney, Keith Shaw, asked the court to keep his client out of prison, noting he had already spent time in jail at the Northeast Regional Corrections Center, completing treatment and receiving therapy.
Shaw told the court Hanel suffered abuse at a young age before he was removed from his biological parents and he likely “will always be susceptible to addiction.”
“While he never intended her overdose, he did cause it,” Shaw wrote. “He is responsible for it. She is, and always will be, his biggest regret. That won't change, whether he goes to prison or not. It is simply what will always remain true."
Lake County prosecutor Lara Nygaard asked the court to impose prison time. She noted Hanel was already on probation when the crime occurred and said he has since missed meetings with a probation officer and tested positive for drug and alcohol use.
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Most concerning, she argued, was Hanel’s comment that he “does deserve punishment, but he does not agree with going to prison for rehabilitation purposes.”
“Someone such as himself should be looking for rehabilitation from every possible source and situation, including from prison,” Nygaard wrote. “This shows a lack of remorse and understanding.”
Judge Hopps, however, granted the defense request, citing Hanel’s age, lack of criminal history, cooperation with law enforcement and the court process, his expressed remorse and amenability to probation.
Hanel will be subject to a number of conditions, including treatment, random testing and 40 hours of community service annually. He also was ordered to pay $9,875 in restitution.
Dehnhoff is scheduled for a settlement conference on April 14.
The Trust Project
