A Santa Clarita man pleaded guilty Friday to a federal charge in what is considered the nation’s first criminal case involving a death caused by the synthetic opioid protonitazene.

Benjamin Anthony Collins, 21, entered a plea in downtown Los Angeles to a single count of distribution of protonitazene resulting in death, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Sentencing is set for Sept. 19, at which time Collins will face a sentence between 20 years and life imprisonment, prosecutors said.

Authorities say the narcotic is up to three times more powerful than fentanyl.

According to the indictment, during the early morning hours of April 19, 2024, Collins distributed the opioid, which resulted in the death of the victim. In recent years, protonitazene has been sold over the internet and i

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