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A little more than one year after Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs was found dead in a Texas hotel room, a former team staff member has been charged in the case. The US Attorney's office has charged former communications director Eric Prescott Kay with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl.
The 45-year-old surrendered to authorities on Friday.
NBC News reports text messages sent June 30 show Skaggs had asked Kay to bring him pills.
Skaggs' was found July 1 with alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone in his system. The medical examiner had said Skaggs took a lethal combination before choking on his own vomit.
On Friday, The Angeles released a statement on the recent developments:
"We learned that there was an unacceptable behavior inconsistent with our code of conduct, and we took steps to address it," the statement read in part. "Our investigation also confirmed that no one in management was aware, or informed, of any employee providing opioids to any player, nor that Tyler was using opioids."
Authorities say there was no indication that the team was aware of any employee providing opioids to any player, or knew that Skaggs was using.
"As with today’s arrest of Eric Kay, the DEA will continue to identify and investigate individuals and organizations responsible for the illicit trafficking of counterfeit and diverted controlled prescription drugs," DEA Special Agent in Charge Eduardo A. Chávez told reporters in Fort Worth.
If Kay is convicted, he could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
Read more details on Fox 11 Los Angeles.