Authorities Charge Five Individuals for Running Drug Distribution Network Linked to Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Overdose
Following a tragic incident that led to the fatal overdose of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, authorities have charged five individuals for their involvement in a sophisticated narcotics distribution network. The individuals – Bruce “Tea” Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant “Dizzy” McIver, John “John John” Nicolas, and his brother, Roy – are accused of advertising illicit drugs on various social media platforms, including Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok, and Telegram.
In addition to the five suspects, a sixth individual, Sophia Haley Marks, was arrested in connection to Leandro’s overdose. Marks, 20, allegedly sold Leandro the pills that ultimately led to his death on July 2, 2023. Leandro, who was the only child of Drena De Niro, the daughter of the acclaimed actor Robert De Niro, obtained the drugs from Marks, who purchased them from the aforementioned drug distribution network.
Text messages recovered from Leandro’s phone revealed that Marks intended to sell him three oxycodone pills and two Xanax tablets for $105. During their conversation, Marks, known as the “Percocet Princess” on the streets, expressed concern about the potency of the drugs and questioned Leandro’s need for them, stating, “I don’t wanna kill you. I just don’t like serving you them because they are not scripts.”
