Prosecutors say the overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson is tied to a New York City drug network accused of targeting local residents.
Leandro De Niro-Rodriguez, 19, died July 2, 2023, from what investigators ruled an accidental drug overdose. Five suspected dealers — Bruce “Tea” Epperson, Eddie Barreto, Grant “Dizzy” McIver, John “John John” Nicolas and Roy Nicolas — were arrested in the case, according to TMZ. Messages cited by prosecutors allegedly show the group was part of a broader criminal operation that sold De Niro-Rodriguez the fatal batch of drugs. (RELATED: Robert De Niro’s Grandson Died From Fentanyl-Laced Pills, Mother Says)
One unnamed dealer allegedly exchanged messages with “Victim 3” — identified by TMZ as De Niro-Rodriguez — discussing pills even after another customer’s overdose death.
BREAKING: The death of Robert De Niro’s 19-year-old grandson has resulted in the arrests of five suspects.
An investigation remains ongoing more than two years after Leandro Anthony De Niro-Rodriguez tragically died from an alleged accidental drug overdose on July 2, 2023. Link… pic.twitter.com/xvIGROkSXT
— OK! Magazine USA (@OKMagazine) October 30, 2025
In one exchange cited in court filings, the dealer asked if he “really need[s]” the pills, adding, “Ion wanna kill u,” the outlet reported.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: Robert De Niro attends the “Tribeca Lisboa Reception” as part of the 2025 Tribeca Festival at Tribeca Film Center on June 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
The dealer allegedly warned that the pills weren’t prescription-grade, but prosecutors say De Niro-Rodriguez went ahead and bought them anyway. He was ultimately sold “pressies” — counterfeit opioid pills laced with fentanyl, according to TMZ.
The same group is also accused of selling drugs to 19-year-old Akira Stein, the daughter of Blondie guitarist Chris Stein, the New York Post reported.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 05: Robert De Niro on stage during the “Tribeca Lisboa Reception” as part of the 2025 Tribeca Festival at Tribeca Film Center on June 05, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Roy Rochlin/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
A sixth suspect, identified as Sofia H. Marks, was arrested weeks after De Niro-Rodriguez’s death and accused of selling him drugs as well, TMZ reported.
Court filings indicate De Niro-Rodriguez’s dealer was supplied fentanyl by Epperson and Barreto before his death.
