RAPID CITY, S.D. – A Rapid City man has been sentenced to life in prison for distributing fentanyl that led to a woman’s death. A jury found 38-year-old Anthony Douglas Sorenson guilty of distributing a controlled substance resulting in death.
According to court documents, Sorenson provided a substance containing a deadly amount of fentanyl to 29-year-old Trisha Barkley in June 2023.
KOTA TV reports that Sorenson spoke during sentencing and denied responsibility, telling the court, “The jury got it wrong.”
Barkley’s family was also present. KOTA TV said that her father told the court he does not blame Sorenson personally but rather the drugs themselves, adding that he never wanted Sorenson to receive a life sentence.
An online obituary described Barkley as bold, funny, fearless and full of life, saying, “Everybody is going to miss ‘The Trish.’”
In April 2024 the Pennington County Sheriff’s Office had posted on Facebook, asking for the public’s help in finding Sorensen. At that time he was a fugitive, wanted on two felony arrest warrants, distribution of a controlled drug or substance resulting in death and identity theft. He also had multiple misdemeanor warrants for petty theft.
