Philly man sentenced in county jail for drug-related death

The interior of the Bucks County Correctional Facility in 2022. Photo credit: County of Bucks

A Philadelphia man was sentenced to state prison Tuesday after pleading guilty in connection with the drug overdose death of an inmate at the Bucks County Correctional Facility.

Allen Rhoades, 31, has been charged with multiple counts, including drug delivery resulting in death, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, conspiracy to possess with intent to deliver, and possession of contraband in a penal institution. According to the Bucks County District Attorney's Office, he pleaded guilty to those charges and resolved four other cases with his guilty pleas.

The sentence of seven to 20 years was imposed by Bucks County Court of Common Pleas President Judge Raymond McHugh at the Justice Center. In addition to the prison sentence, Rhoades will serve 10 years of probation and must pay $3,000 in restitution.

The charges stem from the death of 22-year-old Joshua Patterson of Philadelphia, who died as a result of fentanyl intoxication, according to an autopsy conducted by the Bucks County Coroner's Office.

Patterson was found unresponsive in his cell on August 1, 2022 and was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

During the sentencing, Patterson's family members made statements about the impact of his loss. Relatives drew attention to the devastating impact of his death.

The investigation was led by the Bucks County Detectives Drug Strike Force and the Department of Corrections Investigation Unit.

According to authorities, Rhoades smuggled fentanyl and methamphetamine into the jail after he was arrested on outstanding warrants following a traffic stop on July 25, 2022, on I-95 in Bensalem Township.

Investigators reconstructed Rhoades' operation based on extensive surveillance footage and interviews with several witnesses. They discovered that Rhoades had traded or sold drugs to inmates, including Patterson, in exchange for supplies.

A search of Rhoades' cell turned up eight bundles containing 123 wax bags of suspected heroin and nine bags of methamphetamine, authorities said.

After Patterson's death, a search of his cell turned up a clear bag and a homemade straw containing traces of fentanyl, authorities said.

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