Tattoo Artist Indicted for Murder in Fentanyl Death

**Tattoo Artist Indicted for Murder in Fentanyl Overdose Death; Case Highlights Texas’ Aggressive Stance on Drug-Induced Homicides**

**MONTGOMERY COUNTY, TX –** A Montgomery County grand jury has formally indicted Cody Gene Williams, a 34-year-old tattoo artist from New Waverly, on a murder charge stemming from the fentanyl overdose death of his client, Zachary Ryan Long, in June 2023. This escalation from an initial negligent homicide charge signals an increasingly aggressive stance by Texas prosecutors against individuals who provide drugs, particularly fentanyl, that lead to fatalities.

Williams was arrested on Friday, May 31, 2024, following the grand jury’s review of the case on May 28. He is currently being held in the Montgomery County jail on a $500,000 bond.

The charges arise from the tragic death of 31-year-old Zachary Ryan Long, a New Waverly resident, on June 16, 2023. According to court documents and investigators with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), Long was at Williams’ home-based tattoo studio for a session on June 15, 2023. During this time, Williams allegedly provided Long with a pill he claimed to be hydrocodone, a prescription opioid painkiller.

However, subsequent toxicology reports determined the pill was laced with a lethal concentration of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid significantly more potent than morphine and hydrocodone. Long overdosed at the location.

What allegedly transpired next formed a critical component of the grand jury’s decision to upgrade the charges. Authorities contend that Williams attempted to revive Long but then left him unattended for several hours before eventually contacting 911. Paramedics transported Long to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead the following day, June 16, 2023.

“This is a profound tragedy that underscores the extreme dangers of fentanyl, even in what might seem like a casual exchange,” said a spokesperson for the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office, without commenting on specific evidence in the ongoing case. “Our office, in conjunction with law enforcement, is committed to holding individuals accountable when their actions lead to the death of another, particularly when it involves such a deadly substance.”

The upgrade from negligent homicide, which typically involves a failure to exercise reasonable care, to murder, indicates that prosecutors believe they can prove Williams’ actions met the higher threshold required for a murder conviction under Texas law. In Texas, a person commits murder if they intentionally or knowingly cause the death of an individual, or intend to cause serious bodily injury and commit an act clearly dangerous to human life that causes death. The legal framework around drug-induced deaths has evolved, with an emphasis on the known lethality of fentanyl.

Zachary Ryan Long was remembered by friends and family as a vibrant individual with a passion for the outdoors and a strong sense of community. His untimely death sent shockwaves through the close-knit New Waverly community. Cody Gene Williams operated his tattoo business from a residential property, a common practice for many independent artists. Previous records regarding Williams’ business or personal history were not immediately available, and attorneys for Williams have not yet released a public statement.

This case is part of a broader trend across Texas and the nation, where law enforcement and prosecutors are increasingly pursuing serious charges, including murder, against individuals who supply fentanyl that results in death. The Texas Legislature has also passed measures aimed at combating the fentanyl crisis, including increased penalties and public awareness campaigns. Law enforcement agencies frequently warn the public about the prevalence of counterfeit pills containing fentanyl, often disguised as legitimate prescription medications like oxycodone or Xanax, which are virtually indistinguishable from real pills without laboratory testing.

Williams is expected to be formally arraigned in the coming weeks, where he will enter a plea. If convicted of murder, he faces a potential sentence of 5 to 99 years or life in prison. The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.