Date: 03/27/2025
WESTMINSTER, Colo – A man and woman are now facing several years in prison after pleading guilty to the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death for a case back in 2022.
On March 27, 2025, co-defendant Katherine Craner, 35, plead guilty to the top count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and was sentenced to five years in prison. This comes after co-defendant James Winn, 34, plead guilty on January 8, 2025 to the top count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
On July 5, 2022, WPD patrol officers responded to the Westcliff Apartments for reports of an overdose. A 26-year-old woman called stating she had woken up and found her 26-year-old boyfriend deceased in the living room. She informed responding officers they had both been drinking alcohol and consumed what they believed to be one oxycodone pill each. The woman admitted they purchased the pill from a man later identified as James Winn.
After further investigation, it was determined the pill they believed to be oxycodone was fentanyl. The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office later confirmed that the cause of death for the 26-year-old man was a combined drug intoxication (alcohol concentration .162 g/ 100 ml. and Fentanyl 9.2 ng/ ml.).
WPD began an investigation to identify and file charges against the dealer. This investigation spanned over a year to include numerous interviews and several search warrants.
On November 11, 2023, WPD officers presented the case to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office. The following charges were accepted against Winn and his girlfriend, Craner.
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18-18-408 (1), (2)(c)(V), (2)(a)(III) Controlled substance distribution fentanyl resulting in death less than 4G - DF1
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18-18-405(1),(2)(c)(V) Controlled substance distribution fentanyl less than 4G - DF3
Winn and Craner plead guilty in 2025 to controlled substance distribution fentanyl resulting in death and were sentenced to several years in prison. WPD would like to thank the Jefferson County DA’s Office for their assistance in bringing this case to a close and delivering justice for the victim's family.
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