In a recent development reported by the Associated Press, a 20-year-old woman named Sofia Haley Marks has been taken into custody by federal authorities on charges related to drug trafficking. She stands accused of selling narcotics that resulted in the tragic death of actor Robert De Niro’s 19-year-old grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.
Appearing before the Manhattan federal court on Friday, Marks agreed to be held in custody until a later date when she may request bail. Prosecutors are strongly opposing any plea for her release. The charges against her stem from three counts of narcotics distribution directly linked to the drugs she sold to Leandro De Niro Rodriguez.
It’s essential to note that the law enforcement official who disclosed these details to the Associated Press did so on the condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to reveal information about the ongoing investigation.
On July 2, tragedy struck when Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. The news of his death was announced by his mother, Drena De Niro, through an Instagram post. However, Rodriguez was not identified by name in the court documents related to the case.
Following the incident, 20-year-old Sofia Haley Marks was arrested on federal narcotics charges, accused of selling counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained dangerous substances, including fentanyl. One of these pills was reportedly taken by a teenager who later died from a suspected overdose. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams emphasized that Marks was aware of the lethal potential of the pills she was distributing, yet she continued to sell them.
During the court proceedings, Amy Gallicchio, an assistant federal defender representing Marks, confirmed that Marks intended to retain a lawyer but declined to make further comments outside the court.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams highlighted the severity of the opioid crisis, with fentanyl being the primary cause of death for Americans between the ages of 18 and 49. In 2022 alone, an estimated 109,680 individuals lost their lives to drug overdoses, with around 75,000 of those deaths involving fentanyl and other synthetic opioids. Williams stressed that tackling this crisis is both a law enforcement and public health priority, and their office is working tirelessly to combat it.
The exact cause of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez’s death is still being investigated, as stated by a spokesperson from the city medical examiner’s office.
When Drena De Niro, Leandro’s mother, announced the tragic loss of her son, she responded to a comment on her post, revealing that he had died after ingesting pills that were laced with fentanyl.
Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, the oldest child of Drena De Niro and artist Carlos Mare, followed in his famous grandfather’s footsteps and pursued a career as an actor. He appeared alongside his mother in projects such as Bradley Cooper’s 2018 remake of “A Star is Born.”
Robert De Niro, the renowned actor and grandfather of Leandro, expressed profound distress upon hearing about his beloved grandson’s passing. At the time of the arrest of Sofia Haley Marks, a representative for Robert De Niro had not yet responded to inquiries seeking comment on the matter.