NEWPORT, Ore. — A Lincoln County man has been sentenced to more than six years in prison after admitting to repeatedly selling methamphetamine and fentanyl in the community, including counterfeit fentanyl pills that led to the death of a 67-year-old Otis woman.
On June 10, 2026, Lincoln County Circuit Court Judge Sheryl Bachart sentenced 61-year-old Steven Brady to 80 months in prison followed by 36 months of post-prison supervision. Brady pleaded guilty to one count of Unlawful Delivery of a Schedule II Controlled Substance Commercial Drug Offense, one count of Unlawful Delivery of Methamphetamine Commercial Drug Offense, and one count of Criminally Negligent Homicide.
The investigation began in 2024 after the Lincoln City Police Department received reports from community members that Brady was distributing large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl throughout Lincoln County.
On March 3, 2025, investigators executed a search warrant at Brady’s residence, where they seized more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, 11 grams of powdered fentanyl, and 270 counterfeit fentanyl pills. Officers also recovered drug packaging materials and more than $500 in cash. According to authorities, Brady admitted during the investigation that he was selling methamphetamine and fentanyl in Lincoln County.
Despite the search warrant and seizure, prosecutors said Brady continued trafficking drugs.
Just eight days after the initial search, Brady sold counterfeit fentanyl pills to a 67-year-old woman from Otis. The woman later overdosed after consuming the pills and was pronounced dead on March 11, 2025.
A second search warrant was executed at Brady’s residence on March 20, 2025. During that search, investigators seized additional commercial quantities of methamphetamine, powdered fentanyl, counterfeit fentanyl pills, and approximately $8,600 in cash.
During sentencing, Judge Bachart emphasized Brady’s role in the woman’s death.
“This didn’t have to happen, this was entirely preventable,” Bachart said. “But she got the drugs from you, and you are ultimately responsible for her death. I know you don’t want to accept that; that’s a hard truth to accept.”
The judge also addressed the broader impact of fentanyl on the community.
“The damage that your actions do to our community cannot be overstated,” Bachart said. “We have lost way too many people to fentanyl overdose. There is no sentence proportionate to [the family’s] loss.”
The Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office praised the efforts of law enforcement involved in the case, particularly Chief David Broderick and the Lincoln City Police Department. Prosecutors noted that the department has dedicated significant resources to proactive drug enforcement efforts aimed at reducing the impact of illegal narcotics in the community.
Authorities said the case highlights the ongoing dangers posed by fentanyl and other illicit drugs, which continue to contribute to overdose deaths across Oregon and the nation.
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