POCATELLO — A 33-year-old Pocatello man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to distributing a dangerous opioid that led to the death of an individual.

Michael Simmons faces up to life in prison, a fine of $2 million and at least three years of supervised release. Sentencing is scheduled for June 20 before Chief U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill at the federal courthouse in Pocatello.

According to court documents, Simmons distributed a Schedule I synthetic opioid called U-47700 to an individual who has only been publicly identified as A.D. Prosecutors said A.D. consumed the opioid. The opioid later caused A.D.’s death.

Scores of deaths across the United States have been linked to U-47700 during the past couple years — most notably the overdose death of the musician Prince in April 2016. Prince died from a “cocktail” that included Fentanyl and U-47700, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

“Our nation is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and Idaho is not immune from it,” U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis said in a news release about Simmons' case. “The Department of Justice has made combating the opioid crisis a priority. As in this case, my office and federal law enforcement agencies are dedicated to partnering with state and local law enforcement and prosecutors to battle this epidemic.”

U-47700 was created by pharmaceutical giant Upjohn in the 1970s, and after a round of animal testing, the new opioid blend was determined to be more potent than morphine but with less addictive potential.

The drug, which is seven times more potent than heroin, was originally intended to treat severe pain associated with cancer, surgery or injury, but it was never tested on humans and was relegated to research use until it became popular with drug addicts.

According to police reports, Simmons was arrested in February 2017 prior to a law enforcement raid at his mobile home on Driftwood Street on the city’s west side.

The Pocatello Fire Department’s hazardous materials team was called to the scene to help remove the drugs and other material from Simmons’ mobile home. Removing the drugs from the residence took several hours.

Pocatello police, Idaho State Police, the DEA and U.S. Department of Homeland Security participated in the February 2017 raid.