McMinnville Man Pleads Guilty in Fentanyl Conspiracy That Caused One Death and Six Overdoses

PORTLAND, Ore. — A 32-year-old McMinnville man has pleaded guilty to federal drug conspiracy charges stemming from a February 2023 fentanyl overdose incident in Yamhill County that killed one person and hospitalized six others.

John Kyle Donnahoo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.

Court documents state that Donnahoo conspired with another individual to distribute what he believed was cocaine. He obtained the substance from a co-conspirator described as an active drug dealer in Yamhill County and delivered it to a customer at a residence.

However, the substance contained fentanyl, unbeknownst to Donnahoo and the people at the residence.

Some individuals attempted to test the substance using a fentanyl test kit. The first test malfunctioned, while a second test incorrectly indicated that fentanyl was not present.

Seven adults subsequently ingested the substance and immediately overdosed.

Donnahoo transported three of his friends to a nearby hospital, while medical personnel and law enforcement responded to the residence to provide emergency treatment, including administering Narcan.

One person died from the overdose, while the other six suffered serious bodily injuries and were hospitalized. All six survivors later recovered.

As part of his plea agreement, Donnahoo admitted that he knowingly joined a conspiracy to distribute a Schedule II controlled substance, obtained and delivered the substance that caused the overdoses, and understood the purpose of the conspiracy.

Donnahoo faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $1 million and at least three years of supervised release.

He also agreed to pay full restitution, including funeral expenses for the deceased victim and medical expenses for the six survivors.

U.S. District Judge Amy Baggio is scheduled to sentence Donnahoo on January 22, 2027, at 10 a.m.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott M. Kerin is prosecuting the case for the District of Oregon.