Sofia Haley Marks, known as the “Percocet Princess,” has been arrested in connection to the suspected overdose death of Robert De Niro’s grandson.

Also read | Leandro De Niro Rodriguez cause of death: Did Robert De Niro’s grandson die of drug overdose?

Who is Sofia Haley Marks? 

Sofia Haley Marks, an alleged drug dealer nicknamed the “Percocet Princess,” has been apprehended in connection to the tragic suspected overdose death of Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, grandson of renowned actor Robert De Niro. Law enforcement sources have revealed that Sofia, 20, is believed to have sold drugs to Leandro before he was found lifeless in his Financial District apartment on July 2.

On Thursday, around 6 p.m., Sofia was arrested during an undercover sting operation conducted jointly by the NYPD, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Homeland Security. Authorities are currently searching her residence for further evidence related to the case. She is facing federal charges of narcotics distribution and is expected to be arraigned in Manhattan federal court on Friday morning.

Since the initial stages of the investigation, authorities have been examining Leandro’s death as a potential overdose, given the discovery of a white powdery substance and drug paraphernalia near his body. Leandro’s mother, Drena De Niro, Robert De Niro’s eldest daughter with his ex-wife Diahnne Abbott, previously disclosed her belief that her son died after consuming pills laced with fentanyl. She alleged that the individual who sold the drugs knowingly supplied him with the tainted substances.

Also read | Who was Leandro De Niro Rodriguez? Robert De Niro’s grandson dies at 19

The official cause of Leandro’s death has yet to be determined by the city medical examiner, but NYPD detectives from the Narcotics Borough Manhattan South have been assigned to further investigate the case. Fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has been identified as a major concern, with NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig stating that it is now found in approximately 98% of the drugs circulating in the city. The prevalence of fentanyl has contributed to a surge in overdose cases.

Leandro De Niro Rodriguez was laid to rest at the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel on the Upper East Side of New York City in a star-studded event attended by several notable figures from Robert De Niro’s past projects. The acclaimed actor expressed deep distress over the loss of his beloved grandson.