United States Drug Enforcement Administration

San Diego – Bryan Kim Bullard pleaded guilty in federal court today to distributing the fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 25-year-old Carlsbad woman.

According to the plea agreement, on September 9, 2023, Bullard’s co-defendant, Cameron William Fulston, reached out to the victim, identified in court records as D.G., via Facebook messenger. At 8:55 p.m., D.G. left via a Lyft ride-share from her residence in Carlsbad and traveled to an apartment complex in San Diego. She arrived at 9:33 p.m.

The plea agreement said that shortly after 10 p.m., Bullard sold fentanyl to D.G. at the apartment complex. At 11:16 p.m., co-defendant Fulston exited the apartment building. Bullard messaged Fulston about a minute later, asking for “Narcan.” At approximately 12:22 a.m. on September 10, 2023, Bullard called 911 from the victim’s phone, reporting her overdose. 

When San Diego Police Department officers responded, Bullard had left the apartment, and D.G. was found in the bathroom, not breathing. San Diego police officers administered CPR until medical personnel arrived to take D.G. to the hospital. Five days after her admittance, D.G. was removed from life support. 

Within the apartment, officers found drug paraphernalia and blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl.

Bullard admitted in his plea agreement that when he was arrested on November 16, 2023, he possessed 51.16 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl and 20.84 grams of pure methamphetamine. The parties stipulated that D.G.’s death was caused by the fentanyl distributed by Bullard on September 9, 2023. 

“Fentanyl remains the most deadly drug threat our nation has ever seen,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Brian Clark. “This loss underscores the gravity of the ongoing fentanyl crisis and strengthens our resolve to bring to justice those who profit by selling fentanyl.”

“Instead of immediately calling 911 at the first sign of overdose, the defendant’s delay sealed D.G.’s fate,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Today, he was held to account for her death as the U.S. Attorney’s Office battles on for victims of the fentanyl crisis.”

Bullard is scheduled to be sentenced on March 14, 2025, at 9 a.m.

On September 23, 2024, Cameron William Fulston was found not competent to stand trial. His next court date is a Status Hearing regarding restoration of competency set for January 24, 2025.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jill S. Streja and Adam Gordon.

Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team (formerly known as Team 10) led the investigation. This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the San Diego Police Department, the La Mesa Police Department, National Guard Counterdrug Task Force and the California Department of Health Care Services to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs—fentanyl in particular—that result in overdose deaths. The Drug Enforcement Administration created the Overdose Response Team as a response to the increase in overdose deaths in San Diego County.

AGENCIES

U.S. Attorney’s Office; Homeland Security Investigations; San Diego County District Attorney’s Office; San Diego Police Department; La Mesa Police Department; State of California Department of Health Care Services; National Guard Counterdrug Taskforce

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