Miami Man Faces Federal Charges in Toddler Fentanyl Death
Richie Jonathan Gregoire faces a superseding indictment following the overdose death of an 18-month-old child in Miami.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Drug Crime
Federal prosecutors charged 20-year-old Richie Jonathan Gregoire with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death. The charges follow the January 2026 death of an 18-month-old child who accidentally ingested drugs in a Miami apartment.
Why it matters
The federal indictment underscores the severe legal consequences for drug distribution resulting in fatal overdoses. Authorities allege that the child consumed drugs that were left accessible in the residence, a tragedy captured on surveillance video.
Richie Jonathan Gregoire faces a minimum of 20 years in federal prison for the fatal overdose charge. Pearlandria Boujolly is also charged at the state level with aggravated manslaughter of a child.
The players
Richie Jonathan Gregoire
He is a 20-year-old facing federal charges of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl resulting in death.
Pearlandria Boujolly
She is a 29-year-old facing state charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child in connection with the toddler's death.
The details
Autopsy results confirmed that the toddler died from a fentanyl overdose with trace amounts of cocaine detected in the blood. Police discovered 69 grams of suspected fentanyl in Gregoire's bedroom during a May 2026 search of the apartment.
Timeline
January 3, 2026: An 18-month-old child was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead.
May 2026: Investigators discovered 69 grams of suspected fentanyl during a search of the apartment.
May 21, 2026: Police arrested Richie Jonathan Gregoire.
July 29, 2026: A federal grand jury initially indicted Gregoire on a drug distribution charge.
September 16, 2026: Prosecutors obtained a superseding federal indictment against Gregoire.
Legal Context
The federal prosecution follows federal sentencing guidelines for drug-induced homicide. These cases represent a shift toward holding individuals strictly liable for fatal overdoses occurring in residential settings.
This case highlights the extreme dangers posed by fentanyl in residential environments and underscores local safety concerns. Residents are advised to secure all prescription and illicit substances to prevent accidental access by children.
The takeaway
This tragedy emphasizes the lethal risk of having unsecured fentanyl in the home. Ensuring all controlled substances are locked away is the only way to prevent accidental ingestion by vulnerable children.
What happens next
Pearlandria Boujolly is scheduled for a competency hearing on March 4, 2027, followed by a trial starting on March 15, 2027.
Further reading
For additional context on local enforcement, see the Drug Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Miami Herald.
