New federal charges in FIT student's fentanyl-poisoning death

Campus safety at the Fashion Institute of Technology returned to the spotlight on October 17 after federal prosecutors brought new charges against 19-year-old Moises Freire, accused of giving two women fentanyl in a Manhattan dorm last March while telling them it was cocaine. Both women lost consciousness within minutes; one survived after campus security administered Narcan, the other died days later in hospital. According to court papers, Freire messaged his supplier that he had 'straight poison' and told a friend 'it was poison,' yet waited roughly 45 minutes before alerting security, initially claiming the women had simply drunk too much. He is charged with distributing drugs with intent to commit rape, and his alleged supplier, Brian Peralta Cabrera, faces a drug-conspiracy count. DEA Special Agent in Charge Christopher Roberts led the announcement. FIT said it has strengthened security protocols, increased staffing and expanded safety training. The story was the top-read item on NY1, NBC New York, ABC7 and Gothamist on October 17.