Memphis Man Sentenced to Over 24 Years in Prison for Distributing Heroin and Carfentanil, Resulting in Fatal Overdose

Memphis, TN - A federal Judge has sentenced Steven McCurdy, 46, (aka "Stephen McCurdy", aka "Kroger Man", aka "Plug Tunchii") to over 24 years in prison for distributing heroin and carfentanil that resulted in death. D. Michael Dunavant, United States Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the sentence today.

On May 11, 2020, victim W.B. and a witness purchased what they believed to be heroin from the defendant, McCurdy, who the witness knew as "Kroger Man". The victim and witness then went to the witness's home in Byhalia, Mississippi, where they took the drugs recently sold to them by McCurdy.

Later that night, the witness awoke and found W.B. unresponsive. The witness called 911. First responders arrived within minutes, where W.B. was pronounced deceased on the scene. An autopsy was conducted by the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office. The cause of death for the victim was determined to be a combination of heroin and carfentanil toxicity.

Another witness called by the Government during trial identified McCurdy as the person they knew as "Kroger Man", aka "Plug Tunchii", an individual who had sold the witness narcotics around the time of May 2020.

In his statement to FBI agents upon his arrest, McCurdy admitted to selling marijuana and narcotics but claimed no one had overdosed on his products.

On April 2, 2026, after a three-day jury trial, the jury rendered a verdict of guilty. On July 17, 2026, after hearing proof and arguments from the parties, Chief U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman sentenced McCurdy to a period of 292 months' incarceration, followed by a three-year term of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.

U.S. Attorney D. Michael Dunavant said, "Distribution of illegal narcotics is NOT a victimless crime and poses an immense threat to public safety. The drug seller, at every level of distribution, is at the root of the pervasive cycle of drug abuse. In order to prevent needless addiction, injury, violence, and death in our communities, we must act with urgency to stop and punish drug dealers that deliver death to our fellow citizens."

"Steven McCurdy fueled the distribution of dangerous drugs and narcotics, including heroin and carfentanil," said Special Agent in Charge Terence G. Reilly of the FBI Nashville Field Office. "Today's sentence sends a clear message that individuals who profit from poisoning our communities will be held accountable. The FBI and our partners remain steadfast in our mission to protect our communities and will continue to identify, investigate, and hold accountable those who distribute deadly drugs."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Byhalia Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorneys Bryce H. Phillips and Wendy K. Caceres, and Special Assistant United States Attorney Erica Ronquillo, of the United States Army Judge Advocate General's (JAG) Corps, prosecuted the case on behalf of the government.

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