Lawrence Herald, a 78-year-old El Campo resident, had his life sentence for fentanyl possession upheld on appeal. Convicted in ’23, Herald argued ineffective counsel but was denied. Arrested in ’19, his home search yielded fentanyl, cash, and a pistol. Herald fled before his trial’s second day but was recaptured. He faced an enhanced charge after rejecting a six-year probation plea. Now in the Estelle Unit, he could seek parole in ’29 at age 84. New laws enable charging fentanyl dealers with murder if a death occurs.