20-Year-Old Female Detained Over Drug Offense Related to Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Death, States Official

Sofia Haley Marks, a 20-year-old woman, was apprehended on federal drug charges for allegedly supplying the drugs responsible for the death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, aged 19, according to an unnamed law enforcement representative on Friday.

Marks made her appearance at a Manhattan federal court on Friday, consenting to stay incarcerated until she files a bail request at a future date. The prosecutors affirmed they would object to any application for her discharge.

She was seized on Thursday night with three charges of drug distribution related to the sale of narcotics to Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, confirmed the same law enforcement source. Due to policy constraints, the representative was unable to publicly discuss the ongoing investigation’s details, but shared the information under anonymity with The Big Big News.

ADDITIONAL COVERAGE:
Death of Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, at 19
At 79, Robert De Niro becomes a father for the 7th time
Robert De Niro enlisted by comedian Sebastian Maniscalco to play his father in a film

On July 2, Rodriguez was discovered dead in his Manhattan residence. His mother, Drena De Niro, revealed his demise via an Instagram post. Amy Gallicchio, a federal public defender who served as Marks’ representative on Friday, said Marks intended to appoint an attorney. Gallicchio refrained from making a statement outside the court.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in an announcement that at least one counterfeit oxycodone pill sold by Marks was “ingested by a teenager who subsequently suffered a suspected fatal overdose.” Rodriguez’s identity was not disclosed in the court files.

Williams emphasized that Marks’ apprehension was crucial, stating that she knowingly continued to peddle the lethal pills. He noted that fentanyl is the leading cause of death among Americans aged 18 to 49. In 2022, approximately 109,680 individuals died from drug overdoses, with about 75,000 succumbing to fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.

The prosecutor stated, “It surpasses deaths from cancer, car accidents, or gun violence. It’s a crisis for both law enforcement and public health. We are doing everything within our power to halt it.”

The official cause of Rodriguez’s death is still under inquiry, according to a spokesperson for the city medical examiner’s office.

In response to a query on her post announcing her son’s death, Drena De Niro wrote that her son died after “someone sold him fentanyl-laced pills.”

Rodriguez, the eldest child of Drena De Niro and artist Carlos Mare, was an actor like his renowned grandfather. He appeared alongside his mother in several projects, including Bradley Cooper’s 2018 remake of “A Star is Born.”

Following Rodriguez’s death, Robert De Niro expressed his deep distress over the loss of his beloved grandson, Leo. His representative has not yet provided a comment regarding the arrest.

This report includes contributions from Big Big News writer Larry Neumeister.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Death

More about Robert De Niro’s Grandson’s Death

• Robert De Niro’s grandson, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, found dead
• Sofia Haley Marks Arrested for Drug Charges
• Drena De Niro announces son’s death on Instagram
• Details about U.S. Attorney Damian Williams’ Statement
• Leandro De Niro Rodriguez’s career and role in “A Star is Born”