Drug dealer receives 12 year sentence for fentanyl overdose death
SAN DIEGO – Federal District Court Judge Gonzalo P. Curiel today sentenced defendant Michael Steen to 148 months in prison for supplying the fentanyl that led to a 33-year-old Ramona woman’s fatal overdose on July 9, 2018.
On March 4, 2020, Steen pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl, and admitted he sold more than 500 grams of what he knew to be fentanyl in 2018.
"One of the DEA’s goals is to put people responsible for drug deaths in federal prison,” said Special Agent in Charge John W. Callery. “Today’s sentence of Michael Steen to over 12 years in federal prison is testament to the hard work DEA and our outstanding law enforcement partners put into this investigation to ensure our goal was accomplished. We will continue to aggressively pursue those who deal drugs and cause death in our community.”
“The current fentanyl threat requires an “all in” response by law enforcement. My office is collaborating with partners at every level to seize fentanyl at the border, build cases against cartels and street distributors, and pursue death charges against dealers of this deadly poison,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “If you are selling fentanyl, beware: as today’s sentence reflects, you will be held fully accountable for the death and destruction you selfishly cause.”
“The Sheriff's Department will continue to conduct thorough and collaborative fentanyl death investigations, ensuring traffickers and dealers are held accountable for a crime that costs lives and negatively impacts the community as a whole,” said Sheriff’s Narcotic and Gang Division Captain Dan Brislin.
The DEA is working closely with the U.S. Attorney's Office, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the San Diego Police Department and our other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute cases targeting those who supply drugs in fatal overdose cases.
For those who suffer from addiction, please know there is help. Call the Crisis line at 888-724-7240; it’s always open.
AGENCIES:United States Attorney’s Office; San Diego Sheriff’s Office
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