Derry man gets 7 to 14 years for friend's overdose death

After a plea from the victim’s mother, a Derry man was sentenced Friday to serve up to 14 years in prison for his role in a friend’s fatal overdose in Greensburg more than two years ago.

Glenn Levtzow, 38, appeared in court a week after he failed to attend a hearing to determine his sentence for providing the fatal dose of fentanyl-laced heroin used in the Nov. 18, 2017, overdose of Ryan Powell, 34, in his apartment. Powell died two days later at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital.

A plea from Powell’s mother led Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Christopher Feliciani to impose a slightly shorter sentence.

“I can’t go outside the guidelines but in light of the victim’s mother’s position, I will mitigate the sentence,” Feliciani said.

He ordered Levtzow to serve seven to 14 years in prison.

Police said Levtzow purchased heroin, gave some to Powell and sold more to him later that day in return for other drugs. Powell overdosed on the drugs and was found unresponsive in a bathroom by Levtzow and another woman, according to police.

Levtzow broke through a locked door in an attempt to help Powell but fled the apartment after 911 was called. He was found later in a parked vehicle, suspected of being under the influence of drugs, police said. Two young children, ages 6 and 3, and drug paraphernalia were in the vehicle that was parked near where Powell lived.

Levtzow pleaded guilty in December to charges that included drug delivery resulting in death. He was free on nominal bond prior to a sentencing hearing that was to be held Jan. 24. Court officials said they learned Levtzow was seeking medical attention after using methamphetamine the day of the hearing.

In court on Friday, Levtzow, who was jailed last weekend after a warrant was issued for his arrest, said stress led to his resumption of drug use.

“Everything was piling up and, with the sentencing getting closer, it was hard. I got high to get away from all the stress,” Levtzow said.

At the time of his guilty plea, Levtzow sought a sentence that included no additional time behind bars. His victim’s mother in a letter sent to the judge said she did not want to see her son’s friend go to prison.

Prosecutors said standard sentencing guidelines called for Levtzow to serve at least eight years in prison.