OKLAHOMA CITY — Two detainees in the Oklahoma County Detention Center (OCDC) or Jail have been charged with murder for allegedly providing fentanyl to a third detainee who died from a presumed overdose.
Already detained in the OCDC, two have had new charges filed by Oklahoma County DA Vicki Behenna with First Degree Murder: Gary Grass, 47, and Juan Enriquez, 28.
The charges stem from the presumed overdose death of detainee Vincent Riggie. Riggie’s death was the second of 2025 for the OCDC.
The State Medical Examiner has not completed the autopsy as of publication.
But, OCDC investigators compiled video footage of each passing a substance between them and then to Riggie.
Video recordings of most aspects of the jail’s operation are routinely recorded 24 hours daily.
Investigators also obtained an admission from each that they believed they were distributing fentanyl as a sort of currency in exchange for food and other favors.
New overdoses
Mark Opgrande, public information officer for the Oklahoma County Jail Trust that runs the jail, stated in a news release that since Riggie’s death, “…nearly 20 overdoses have occurred in the jail due to fentanyl-laced contraband.”
Since the death around 50 doses of Narcan were administered, said Opgrande.
“Fentanyl is a deadly epidemic that has no place in our facility or our community,” said Brandi Garner, CEO of the Oklahoma County Detention Center. We are aggressively investigating every case, and those responsible for smuggling and distributing it will be and are being charged to the fullest extent of the law.”
Fighting contraband, smuggling
Since surveillance and strict control of substances make the production of fentanyl very difficult, the presence of significant levels of the drug plus other contraband typically comes from smuggling from the outside to detainees. Contraband comes into the jail from visitors, jail staff, and officers.
Evidently, the temptations are strong to do so.
Just in this month alone, “…12 contraband-related cases have been investigated and charged by the District Attorney’s Office, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat the influx of dangerous drugs within the jail,” said Opgrande.
To curb smuggling by detention officers and other staff, jail administration has instituted “very stringent background checks for prospective employees,” said Opgrande.
Random employee and contractor searches plus employees going through a body scanner as they enter for their shift each day have stepped up under CEO Garner who recently submitted her resignation effective on Friday, Feb. 7.
Founder, publisher, and editor of Oklahoma City Free Press. Brett continues to contribute reports and photography to this site as he runs the business.
