SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A Utah man and convicted felon with a criminal history of possessing, using, and distributing drugs was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment today for possessing fentanyl that ultimately resulted in the death of another person.

The sentence, imposed by Senior U.S. District Court Judge Clark Waddoups, comes after Spencer Massengale, 34, of Ogden, Utah, pleaded guilty on July 23, 2026 to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. In addition to his term of imprisonment, Massengale was sentenced to five years of supervised release, and ordered to pay $4,025 in restitution. According to court documents and statements made at Massengale’s change of plea and sentencing hearings, on February 22, 2023, a victim was found dead on the couch of Massengale’s residence. During the investigation police recovered 330 fentanyl pills in the home, which Massengale admitted he intended to distribute to others. Massengale further admitted that when his roommate called on the telephone to notify him that the victim was unresponsive, Massengale asked his roommate to delay calling 911 and to hide Massengale’s fentanyl pills from police. Massengale did not call 911 until he returned home and found the victim dead. Massengale then reported the victim “overdosed.”

The Utah State Assistant Medical Examiner and toxicologists determined that the victim died of drug intoxication from the effects of the use of fentanyl.

Massengale has an extensive criminal history, including a state of Utah criminal conviction in December 2022 for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 0-15 years in the Utah State Prison, suspended upon completion of 36 months’ probation.

“Mr. Massengale’s long history of recidivism and the devastating consequences of his fentanyl distribution resulted in the worst possible outcome — the loss of another life,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak for the District of Utah. “No prison sentence can ever erase the pain and suffering endured by the victim’s loved ones. However, by removing Mr. Massengale from our community, we hope they can begin the difficult process of healing.”

The case was investigated by the Weber Morgan Narcotics Strike Force and prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.