NYC man busted for sex with girl, paying with pills that killed young teen’s pal: prosecutors

The Bobster

Senior News Editor since 2004


NYC man busted for sex with girl, paying with pills that killed young teen’s pal: prosecutors​



By
Priscilla DeGregory


May 12, 2023 12:33pm
Updated














A Bronx man was busted for having sex with a 16-year-old girl and paying her with fentanyl-laced pills that killed her friend, prosecutors announced Friday.
Virgil Wardlow was arrested Thursday night for the March 25 encounter with the underage girl that Wardlow paid for with $40 in cash and two fentanyl pills — one of which killed the teen’s 19-year-old pal the same day, according to a Manhattan federal complaint.
Wardlow, 31, met the teenager at a Bronx hotel after brokering the meeting in text messages, writing ‘What’s up with the trades?” and offering her pills for “some of ya time,” according to images of the messages included in the complaint.
The teen first declined, prompting Wardlow to barter, offering “Half cash” — which she accepted, according to the texts.
Wardlow had sex with her and left the hotel room, according to the papers.
The girl and her friend then took the pills and afterward “felt ill and overheated,” the filing claims.
They both got into a cold bath and the 16-year-old passed out, later awakening to find her friend unresponsive, the court papers claim.
From February to April, Wardlow “exchanged several messages” with others offering the pills in exchange for sex, the complaint says.
Wardlow is charged with sex trafficking of a minor and unlawful distribution of narcotics and faces up to life in prison if convicted on the top charge.

Virgil Wardlow is picturedVirgil Wardlow was arrested for having sex with a 16-year-old girl and paying her for the sex with fentanyl-laced pills that killed her friend, prosecutors said.Southern District of New York Virgil Wardlow is seen on cameraThe encounter took place on March 25 in a Bronx hotel room.Southern District of New York Virgil Wardlow is seen at an ATM machineWardlow paid the girl with two pills and $40 cash.Southern District of New York pictured are text messages between Virgil Wardlow and a 16-year-old girl.Wardlow brokered the deal in text messages.Southern District of New York



“The defendant’s alleged conduct is reprehensible,” Manhattan US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement. “The defendant’s conduct was allegedly part of a pattern of similar behavior in which he exchanged or attempted to exchange dangerous narcotics for sex.”


Wardlow is due in court Friday.


His lawyer didn’t immediately return a request for comment.
 
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