Arapahoe County authorities announced on Mar. 24 that Max Arsenault, a homicide suspect wanted in connection with a fentanyl-related death, was captured in Medellin, Colombia after fleeing the United States earlier this year.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to address fentanyl-related crimes and ensure suspects face trial. Arsenault had been released on bond and was scheduled for trial on January 20, but left the country three days before proceedings were set to begin.
According to officials, Arsenault was apprehended by Colombian Migration authorities with assistance from the FBI and U.S. Marshals Service. He was transported to Miami and then extradited back to Denver by an Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office task force officer and an FBI agent. He is now being held at the Arapahoe County Detention Facility pending trial.
The investigation began after deputies responded to a medical call on May 7, 2023, where they found Nicholas Dorotik unresponsive due to a mixed drug overdose involving fentanyl and methamphetamine. Authorities determined Dorotik had about three times the lethal amount of fentanyl in his system despite being previously healthy. Following a year-long investigation, both Arsenault and Julia Weishaar were arrested; Weishaar has since been sentenced to ten years in prison.
Sheriff Tyler Brown said: “This arrest sends a clear message: our agency is committed to holding those accountable in fentanyl-related deaths to protect our community from this deadly substance.” Brown added: “To hold individuals accountable, we will use any legal technologies and advantages to bring you into custody. I want to thank our partners with the FBI Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force and the dedication of our deputy assigned to this team for ensuring this individual was brought back to Colorado to face justice.”
Marvin Massey, acting special agent in charge of FBI Denver, said: “The Rocky Mountain Safe Streets Task Force is relentless in working with our local, state, and federal partners to bring fugitives to justice – in this case, a man accused of selling the fentanyl that led to the death of another man.” Massey continued: “The FBI is unwavering in its support of our local partners and will leverage its full investigative and international capabilities to help ensure those responsible for violent crimes are held accountable — regardless of where they attempt to flee.”
Authorities emphasized that coordination among multiple agencies made the arrest possible through intelligence sharing across borders. Under Colorado law, all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
