Bailey A. Szramowski, a U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln, is federally charged with distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of fellow servicemember A.N. The charges, filed in the Southern District of California under case number 25-cr-0441-RBM, carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
Szramowski’s next court appearance is scheduled for July 10, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. before the Honorable Ruth B. Montenegro in the United States District Court for the Southern District of California.
The ongoing federal prosecution underscores the Navy’s intensified efforts to address drug distribution and substance abuse within its ranks, particularly concerning the lethal opioid fentanyl.
Originally published January 10, 2025; Last Updated June 3, 2026
Estimated reading time: 9 minutes
Table of contents
- Bailey Szramowski: The Accused Sailor
- Bailey Szramowski’s Background and Service Record
- The Bailey Szramowski Federal Charges Explained
- USS Abraham Lincoln Drug Investigation Timeline
- A Crisis Beneath the Surface
- Navigating Troubled Waters
- The Ripple Effect: Security and Readiness
- Understanding Fentanyl: CDC Facts
- The Silent Struggle: Military Culture and Seeking Help
- Charting a New Course
- Frequently Asked Questions About the Bailey Szramowski Case
Bailey Szramowski: The Accused Sailor
Bailey A. Szramowski served aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier based in San Diego, California. As an active-duty sailor, Szramowski was part of a crew responsible for critical naval operations in the Pacific Fleet.
His role within the ship’s complement and his interactions with fellow sailors have come under scrutiny following the federal charges alleging his involvement in distributing fentanyl, a synthetic opioid responsible for a growing number of overdose deaths nationwide.
On December 30, 2022, a sailor from the USS Abraham Lincoln, known only as A.N., was found dead in an RV. The culprit? A lethal dose of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid 50 times stronger than heroin. Learn more about fentanyl’s potency.
On January 3, 2023, A.N., a Sailor onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln, died of an apparent drug overdose. At the time of his death, A.N. was on leave and staying in an RV parked outside his aunt and uncle’s house in San Leandro, California. – Probable Cause Statement
The tragic discovery set off a chain of events that would uncover a disturbing web of drug distribution within the Navy’s ranks. Investigators from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) quickly launched a probe, working in conjunction with local law enforcement to piece together the final hours of A.N.’s life.
Bailey Szramowski’s Background and Service Record
Publicly available records indicate that Szramowski enlisted in the U.S. Navy prior to 2022 and was assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln. He was a Logistic Specialist Third Class. Further specific details about his rank, specialty, or prior service history remain limited due to privacy protections and ongoing legal proceedings.
Nevertheless, his position aboard one of the Navy’s largest carriers placed him within a tightly regulated environment where drug use and distribution are strictly prohibited and subject to severe penalties.
The Bailey Szramowski Federal Charges Explained
Bailey A. Szramowski, a sailor on the USS Abraham Lincoln, is now accused of giving a deadly dose of drugs. A federal complaint filed on January 7, 2025, reveals worrying details about drug distribution among sailors.
On or about December 30, 2022, within the Southern District of California, defendant BAILEY A. SZRAMOWSKI did knowingly and intentionally distribute a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of N-phenyl-N-[1-(2-phenylethyl)-4-piperidinyl] propanamide (‘fentanyl’), a Schedule II Controlled Substance, which resulted in the death of another person, to wit: A.N. – Federal Complaint
Federal prosecutors filed charges against Bailey Szramowski under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(c) for knowingly distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of another person.
Fentanyl is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance due to its high potential for abuse and lethality. The statute mandates a minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment when distribution results in death or serious bodily injury, with the possibility of life imprisonment.
The indictment alleges that on or about December 30, 2022, Szramowski distributed fentanyl within the Southern District of California, directly contributing to the fatal overdose of sailor A.N.
USS Abraham Lincoln Drug Investigation Timeline
The charges against Szramowski came after an extensive investigation that spanned over two years. A crucial break in the case came on January 13, 2023, when a second sailor from the USS Abraham Lincoln, identified as C.L., was hospitalized for an apparent drug overdose. C.L. survived after being administered NARCAN, a medication used to reverse opioid overdoses.
Following his recovery, C.L. agreed to cooperate with the NCIS investigation. His testimony provided critical insights into the drug distribution network aboard the ship. According to the probable cause statement:
C.L. identified A.N. and another US Navy servicemember, Bailey A. Szramowski, as individuals who had been actively selling Percocet pills (likely counterfeit M30 pills) to other sailors, including himself, for approximately the prior year.
Key evidence uncovered during the investigation included:
- Text messages recovered from A.N.’s phone revealing regular discussions about drug transactions between Szramowski and A.N.
- Testimony from C.L. and other sailors who had purchased drugs from Szramowski
- Financial records showing suspicious transactions consistent with drug dealing, including CashApp payments
- Information about Szramowski’s alleged method of obtaining drugs via mail to a P.O. box in Coronado, California
Perhaps most damning was a series of actions taken by Szramowski in the aftermath of A.N.’s death. According to the probable cause statement:
On January 3, 2023, the day of A.N.’s death, Szramowski texted G.G. and instructed her to ‘[g]et [A.N.’s] phone’ and ‘delete mine and his msgs’ so that law enforcement would not find them, which he claimed would result in Szramowski ‘go[ing] to prison’ and ‘go[ing] down for murder.’
These attempts to conceal evidence, along with alleged instructions to C.L. to lie to law enforcement, further strengthened the case against Szramowski.
A Crisis Beneath the Surface
While legal documents refer to the deceased as A.N., it’s crucial to remember the person behind the initials – a son, a friend, and a dedicated servicemember. This tragedy ripples far beyond military boundaries, affecting families and communities.
This incident is not an isolated event. The U.S. military, like civilian society, grapples with the opioid epidemic. A 2019 RAND Corporation study found that opioid use disorder rates among active-duty service members more than doubled between 2010 and 2019.
Navigating Troubled Waters
The Navy’s current substance abuse programs, which include random drug testing and educational initiatives, are facing new challenges. This situation reveals possible weaknesses in these programs and shows the need for more thorough solutions.
A Rear Admiral spoke at a press conference after Szramowski’s arrest, recognizing how serious the issue is, he said:
This case has exposed vulnerabilities in our system that we must address. We are committed to a top-to-bottom review of our substance abuse prevention and detection programs.
The Ripple Effect: Security and Readiness
Beyond personal tragedies, this case raises alarm bells about military readiness and security. Service members under the influence pose risks to themselves, their comrades, and their missions. Explore more about drug use impact on military readiness.
Understanding Fentanyl: CDC Facts
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl’s potency significantly increases the risk of overdose and death, especially when individuals are unaware they are consuming it.
The CDC highlights that fentanyl is often mixed with other drugs, such as heroin or cocaine, sometimes without the user’s knowledge, which contributes to the surge in overdose fatalities nationwide. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl—equivalent to a few grains of salt—can be lethal.
The rapid onset of fentanyl’s effects and its high potency make it particularly dangerous, requiring immediate medical intervention with naloxone (Narcan) to reverse overdoses.
For more detailed information, visit the CDC’s fentanyl facts page: CDC Fentanyl Facts.
The Silent Struggle: Military Culture and Seeking Help
The case of A.N. and Szramowski highlights a common problem in the military: the stigma around getting help for mental health and substance abuse issues. Even with efforts to reduce this stigma, many service members still see asking for help as a weakness. They believe that seeking help could hurt their careers and damage their reputation with their peers.
A 2020 study published in Military Medicine revealed that stigma remains a significant barrier to seeking mental health treatment among military personnel. The study found that about 60% of service members with mental health problems did not seek help. They often worried about how it would affect their careers and what their peers would think.
Dr. Amy Williams, a military psychologist, notes,
The military’s emphasis on strength and resilience, while valuable in many contexts, can inadvertently create an environment where individuals feel compelled to internalize their struggles. This ‘tough it out’ mentality can be particularly dangerous when it comes to substance use and mental health issues.
The military has started programs to encourage service members to seek help without worrying about consequences. However, cases like Szramowski’s show that we need a significant change in the military culture. To effectively address substance use in the military, we need more than just new policies; we must rethink how we view and handle mental health and substance use issues within the military.
Charting a New Course
As the legal case against Szramowski moves forward, military leaders and policymakers face important questions:
- How can we better detect and prevent drug use in the military?
- What extra support do service members with addiction need?
- How can we create a military culture that encourages people to seek help for substance use and mental health issues?
As a result of the case of Bailey Szramowski shows that the opioid crisis impacts everyone, no matter their background. Now, we need to develop innovative and compassionate solutions to combat this epidemic, revent further loss of life, and protect the integrity of our armed forces.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bailey Szramowski Case
Bailey A. Szramowski is a U.S. Navy sailor assigned to the USS Abraham Lincoln, federally charged with distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a fellow sailor.
He faces federal charges under 21 U.S.C. § 841 for distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years.
Szramowski is scheduled to appear in court on July 10, 2026, before Judge Ruth B. Montenegro in the Southern District of California.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid approximately 50 to 100 times stronger than morphine, responsible for a significant number of overdose deaths nationwide. It is often mixed with other drugs, increasing the risk of accidental overdose.
The overdose occurred in San Leandro, California, while the deceased sailor was on leave from the USS Abraham Lincoln.
If you or someone you care about in the military is facing the challenges of substance abuse, please know that you’re not alone and there is support available. The Military Crisis Line is there for you, offering confidential assistance from people who truly understand what you’re going through.
