DES MOINES, IOWA — A Des Moines woman will spend up to 12 years in federal prison for selling fentanyl laced pills that lead to the overdose death of a teenager.

Nevaeh Simone Botts, 21, was sentenced in federal court in Des Moines on November 15th. The US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa announced the decision on Tuesday. Botts pled guilty to Distribution of a Controlled Substance Resulting in Death or Serious Injury. Other drug possession and weapons charges were dropped as part of her plea agreement.

Botts is accused of selling fentanyl-laced pills to an undercover officer on three occasions. Botts was also accused of selling the pills that lead to the overdose death of a 16-year-old in May 2023.

Authorities found hundreds of fentanyl-laced pills and multiple firearms when they executed a search warrant at Botts’ home.

According to the US Attorney’s Office, fentanyl is the leading cause of drug overdose in the United States.