A former sailor used a Coronado post office box to receive fentanyl-laced counterfeit pills and sold them to shipmates aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, federal court records show.

Bailey A. Szramowski, 29, and his wife Johnnese H. Poomaihealani, 25, both former sailors now living in Hawaii, pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Sept. 15, to one count of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. As we reported Sept. 16, the case stems from pill sales that left one sailor dead and another hospitalized.

Court records detailed in Navy Times reporting show Szramowski provided 10 counterfeit oxycodone pills to an active-duty Lincoln sailor, identified only by the initials A.N., in December 2022. The victim's former fiancée told investigators A.N. paid $100 for the pills, according to the Los Angeles Times.

A.N. died of acute fentanyl intoxication on Jan. 3, 2023, while on leave in San Leandro, California. After his death, the former fiancée searched his belongings and found nine of the 10 pills, the LA Times reported.

Ten days after A.N.'s death, Szramowski sold three more pills to another Lincoln sailor, identified as C.L., despite knowing A.N. had died. C.L. was hospitalized for an apparent overdose but survived after receiving Narcan.

According to C.L., Szramowski purchased the pills by mail, received them at a Coronado PO box and charged sailors through CashApp. C.L. told investigators that Szramowski and A.N. had been selling what they called Percocet pills to other sailors for about a year, including during the Lincoln's 2022 deployment and after the ship returned to San Diego.

Szramowski also sold drugs while the ship was underway, according to Stars and Stripes.

Cover-up allegations

After C.L.'s hospitalization, Szramowski and Poomaihealani called C.L. and told him to lie to law enforcement about who provided the pills, court records state.

Szramowski also pressured A.N.'s aunt, uncle and former fiancée to delete text messages between himself and A.N. The family declined. According to the federal complaint, Szramowski told them he feared he could face a murder charge or that it would ruin his future.

Szramowski's former fiancée told investigators he had disclosed the pills contained fentanyl but claimed he was not at fault because A.N. had been warned the pills "were different," Stars and Stripes reported.

Sentencing and penalties

The pair was originally indicted on Feb. 14, 2025, on charges of conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and cocaine. Szramowski also faced a charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. Both pleaded guilty to the single conspiracy count.

Poomaihealani served as a master-at-arms and petty officer third class stationed in San Diego, according to a motion filed by her attorney. Szramowski reported to the Lincoln in May 2021 and was promoted to logistics specialist third class in June 2024.

Sentencing is set for Dec. 11. Szramowski faces five to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $5 million. Poomaihealani faces up to 20 years and a fine of up to $1 million.

The Justice Department said both pleaded guilty to selling counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl to active-duty servicemembers in San Diego, including during deployments.