THREE SENTENCED IN FEDERAL COURT FOR FENTANYL OVERDOSE DEATH OF U.S. NAVY SAILOR

Gulfport, MS - The individuals responsible for distributing fentanyl to a U.S. Navy sailor who subsequently died will spend decades in federal prison. On Monday, Nov. 9, 2026, Clayton Faubion, 37, was sentenced to 157 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and a $12,000 fine. Today, Michael Nix, 43, was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release, and Augustina Dahilig, 36, was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison, followed by 1 year of supervised release. U.S. Attorney Baxter Kruger, Southern District of Mississippi, and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott, New Orleans Field Division, made the announcement. There is no parole in the federal system.

"Fentanyl has contributed to a devastating rise is overdose deaths across our communities," said United States Attorney Baxter Kruger. "Those who distribute this deadly substance will be held accountable for their actions as highlighted by the significant sentences handed down in this case. I commend the tireless work by our prosecutors and law enforcement partners; their efforts demonstrate a strong commitment to protect our communities."

"This young sailor had just stepped up to serve our country and reported to Gulfport, only to have his future cut short by the ruthless distribution of poison in our community," said DEA Special Agent in Charge John P. Scott. "Fentanyl destroys lives without a second thought, and those who push this deadly substance will find no refuge from federal justice. We will remain relentless alongside our local and military partners to hunt down these offenders and hold them fully accountable for the destruction they leave behind."

"The defendants' continued distribution of dangerous and illicit drugs despite devastating outcomes demonstrates their callous disregard for human life and the safety of our community," said Special Agent in Charge Ryan Gwozdz of the NCIS Southeast Field Office. "NCIS remains unwavering in our mission to protect our Navy and Marine Corps communities. We will continue to collaborate with our law enforcement partners to pursue comprehensive investigations to ensure individuals complicit in crimes are held accountable for the grave consequences of their actions."

According to court documents, on April 15, 2022, Nix, Faubion, and Dahilig met victim S.K., an active-duty Navy sailor, and two fellow service members at a local bar in Gulfport. During the evening, Faubion, Nix, and Dahilig left the venue so Faubion and Nix could source a controlled substance for S.K. from a drug dealer known to Nix. The trio then returned to the bar, where Faubion provided the substance to S.K. and one of his fellow sailors.

Within minutes of ingesting the substance, S.K. became unconscious and began snoring. At approximately 9:42 p.m., Faubion and Dahilig drove the unconscious sailor to their apartment complex while the two other service members followed in a separate vehicle. S.K. remained unconscious inside Faubion's vehicle in the parking lot until approximately 11:40 p.m., when the other two sailors moved S.K. to their own car and transported him to the hospital. By the time S.K. arrived at the emergency room, he did not have a pulse.

S.K. was declared brain dead on April 21, 2022, and was subsequently removed from life support. While a toxicology report indicated the presence of cocaine, methamphetamine, nicotine, fentanyl, and alcohol, an expert medical toxicologist concluded after reviewing S.K.'s medical records, bar surveillance footage, and investigative files that his death was caused specifically by acute fentanyl intoxication. The investigation confirmed that the controlled substance - sourced and supplied by Nix and Faubion - contained the lethal fentanyl.

Within a month of the victim's death, Dahilig learned that Nix was telling others that S.K. was given the drug by Faubion. Dahilig confronted Nix at work and instructed him to stop discussing the incident. Later, during interviews with federal law enforcement agents in Nevada in March and May 2023, Dahilig lied regarding Faubion's involvement in supplying the drugs, concealed their travel to another location after visiting Nix's home that night, and omitted her confrontation with Nix. She attempted to place sole blame on Nix for obtaining and distributing the substance, despite knowing Faubion's involvement.

A federal grand jury charged all three defendants in a two-count indictment filed on July 29, 2025. Count 1 charged the defendants with knowingly and intentionally conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine and fentanyl (Schedule II controlled substances), in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Section 846, with the use of such controlled substances resulting in death under Title 21, United States Code, Section 841(b)(1)(C). Count 2 charged the defendants with aiding and abetting each other to knowingly and intentionally distribute and possess with intent to distribute a mixture or substance containing detectable amounts of cocaine and fentanyl resulting in death, in violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 841(a)(1) and 841(b)(1)(C), and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2. Dahilig was subsequently charged with misprision of a felony in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 4.

Nix and Faubion previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance resulting in death. Dahilig previously pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony.

The investigation was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Gulfport Police Department, and the Harrison County Sheriff's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Buckner.