Two Defendants Charged With The Fentanyl Poisoning Of A Four-Year-Old In Brooklyn

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Special Agent in Charge of the New York Task Force Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration ("DEA"), Christopher Roberts, and the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department ("NYPD"), Jessica S. Tisch, announced today the unsealing of an Indictment charging AHUVA KATZIN and YITZCHOK SKLAR, a/k/a "Isak Sklar," with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death in connection with the poisoning of SKLAR's four-year-old child in Brooklyn on March 4, 2025. KATZIN and SKLAR were arrested today, and SKLAR will be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein. KATZIN will be presented tomorrow before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky. The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Jennifer L. Rochon.

"As alleged, Ahuva Katzin and Yitzchok Sklar sold drugs that caused the tragic death of Sklar's own child," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Instead of stopping, they allegedly continued to distribute fentanyl and other dangerous drugs across New York. There are no good outcomes for deadly fentanyl in and around our city, and New Yorkers want it gone. This Office will hold accountable those who distribute poison in our communities and will seek justice for the victims of these devastating crimes."

"Once again, we are forced to confront the reckless disregard for human life shown by those who allegedly traffic fentanyl and other illicit narcotics" said DEA New York Task Force Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts. "This case reminds us of the danger that fentanyl presents, especially when our most vulnerable, our children, are exposed to it. A four-year-old's home is the last place fentanyl should ever be. This is a senseless tragedy, as is any loss of life from illicit narcotics, and we will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure justice is delivered."

"Ahuva Katzin and Yitzchok Sklar have been indicted for their roles in a drug distribution conspiracy that led to the heartbreaking death of a four-year-old," said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. "This case shows the NYPD's continued commitment to getting deadly drugs out of our communities and going after the individuals who put our families-and their own-in harm's way. I would like to thank our NYPD investigators and our partners at the Drug Enforcement Agency and at the U.S. Attorney's Office for their work on this case and ensuring accountability for this devastating loss."

As alleged in the Indictment, other public filings, and statements made in public court proceedings:[1]

From at least in or about 2023 through at least in or about 2025, KATZIN and SKLAR conspired to distribute fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine in New York City. On March 4, 2025, exposure to the fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl distributed by KATZIN and SKLAR caused the death of SKLAR's four-year-old boy who had been residing with his mother and SKLAR in an apartment in Brooklyn.

On the morning of March 4, 2025, after calling an ambulance service to report that the boy was experiencing a medical emergency, SKLAR attempted to hide his narcotics. Video surveillance footage captured SKLAR leaving his dying child in the apartment while running out with a black bag and returning moments later without the bag. The bag was later recovered from a nearby car rented by SKLAR and found to contain, among other things, fentanyl, para-fluorofentanyl, and heroin. A screenshot of SKLAR running out with the bag of drugs and a photo of the drugs later recovered by law enforcement officers are included below:

Following the boy's death, KATZIN and SKLAR continued to work together to sell drugs throughout New York.

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KATZIN, 33, and SKLAR, 34, both of Brooklyn, New York, are each charged with conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and a maximum sentence of life in prison.

The statutory minimum and maximum sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendants will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding work of the DEA and the NYPD in connection with this investigation. Mr. Clayton also thanked the Kings County District Attorney's Office.

This case is being handled by the Office's Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meredith Foster and Henry Ross are in charge of the prosecution.

The charge contained in the Indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.