The college says it reviewed security measures and expanded support as two defendants face federal charges tied to the March incident.
NEW YORK — The Fashion Institute of Technology is highlighting changes to campus safety, emergency response and student support as federal charges bring renewed attention to a March fentanyl poisoning in a residence hall that left one student dead and another seriously injured.
The college’s response has unfolded alongside a federal criminal case against Moises Freire, 19, and Brian Peralta Cabrera, 18. Both men pleaded not guilty Oct. 28 to charges stemming from what prosecutors describe as a fentanyl distribution conspiracy. Authorities allege the students were given fentanyl that had been falsely represented as cocaine. Prosecutors also accuse Freire of raping one of the women while she was unconscious.
FIT President Jason Schupbach has told the campus community that neither defendant was an FIT student. He said residence hall visitor policies were followed on the night of the March 18 incident, but the school nevertheless reviewed its safety protocols, training and security measures after the student’s death. The college has also continued to publicize counseling and support services as the criminal case moves forward.
According to federal prosecutors, Freire brought fentanyl to the residence hall and told the two women that the substance was cocaine. Both lost consciousness soon after taking it. The government alleges that Freire did not immediately seek medical assistance and waited about 45 minutes before alerting campus security. Prosecutors say he initially told security personnel that the women had consumed too much alcohol.
Campus public safety personnel responded after being notified that the students were unconscious. Schupbach said staff assessed the situation, administered Narcan and contacted city and federal authorities. Both women were transported to hospitals. One regained consciousness after treatment, while the other remained critically ill and later died from complications of acute fentanyl intoxication, according to federal authorities.
The incident has put particular focus on security inside college housing. FIT says its residence halls are staffed by public safety personnel around the clock while students are in residence. Visitors are required to comply with sign-in procedures, and the college says security staff monitor access to residence halls. Schupbach has maintained that those visitor procedures were followed before the March incident.
At the same time, the college has said it reviewed and strengthened its safety practices after the death. FIT has Narcan available in residence hall areas, and the school has taken additional steps to ensure emergency medication is accessible to staff responsible for campus safety. The college has also emphasized training, emergency communications and support resources for students affected by the case.
The renewed attention followed the Oct. 15 unsealing of a superseding federal indictment. Prosecutors allege Freire previously knew the substance was dangerous and had described it as poison. They say Peralta Cabrera supplied the fentanyl after Freire discussed providing strong drugs to the women. The indictment alleges both men participated in a narcotics conspiracy that resulted in death and serious bodily injury.
Freire also faces charges of distributing a controlled substance resulting in death and serious bodily injury and distributing a controlled substance with intent to commit rape. Prosecutors allege the student who died never regained consciousness after the March incident. The second student survived after receiving emergency medical treatment.
The case has continued to reverberate on campus months after the death. In an Oct. 28 message, Schupbach told students and employees that the arraignment was part of the legal process and said the school would continue providing updates when appropriate. He also said administrators had met with student government leaders and distributed additional resources and activities to students.
Freire and Peralta Cabrera pleaded not guilty to the new charges. Freire remains in custody, while Peralta Cabrera was released on bail with home detention after the Oct. 28 hearing. The allegations have not been proven, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless convicted. The federal case is expected to continue into 2027 as FIT maintains counseling, public safety and residence hall resources for its community.
Author note: Last updated October 29, 2026.