Two Charged in FIT Dorm Fentanyl Death and Alleged Rape
Federal prosecutors have charged 19-year-old Moises Freire with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and distributing fentanyl with intent to commit rape after a student died in a Manhattan college dormitory in March. An 18-year-old, Brian Peralta Cabrera, was also charged in connection with the fentanyl distribution conspiracy, according to federal charging documents. Guardian
The case centers on the evening of 18 March, when prosecutors allege Freire visited two women in their dorm room at the Fashion Institute of Technology, known as FIT. Freire was not a student at the school. Both women were FIT students and roommates.
Prosecutors allege Freire brought fentanyl to the room and falsely told the women it was pure cocaine. He referred to the substance as "straight poison" before urging them to take it, prosecutors allege.
The indictment alleges Freire rendered both women unconscious through fentanyl exposure and then raped one of them, identified as Victim-1. Prosecutors allege Freire later admitted in writing that he had sex with the woman while she was unconscious.
Prosecutors allege Freire sent pictures of the unconscious women to others and waited about 40 minutes before alerting building security. He never called an ambulance himself, prosecutors allege. Victim-1 never regained consciousness and died on 21 March. The second woman survived what prosecutors describe as near-fatal poisoning. Justice Department
Prosecutors allege the drugs passed through several hands. Harry Rosales Pino sold the fentanyl to Peralta Cabrera, who sold it to Freire, who gave it to the two women. Peralta Cabrera allegedly provided the fentanyl knowing Freire intended to distribute it to at least the two victims.
The indictment covers an alleged conspiracy from at least February 2026 through March 2026. Prosecutors allege Freire told Peralta Cabrera he wanted narcotics for the victims that would "last the entire night." Freire allegedly said if the drugs were strong enough the victims would get addicted, which he described as a "win win situation."
Rosales Pino pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to distribute narcotics resulting in death and serious bodily injury. He is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced on 15 December.
Freire is from the Bronx and Peralta Cabrera is from Queens. Both remained in federal custody pending the outcome of the case as of 16 October 2026. The updated three-count indictment containing the rape allegation against Freire was filed on Thursday. FIT is part of the State University of New York system.
