Monterey County Man who Sold Fentanyl-Laced Pills Resulting in Overdose Death of a Minor Sentenced to More Than Eight Years in Prison
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Edward Tellez Solis, aka Edward Telles Solis, was sentenced today to 100 months in federal prison for possessing and distributing fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills via social media and for possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Senior U.S. District Judge Edward J. Davila handed down the sentence.
Tellez Solis, 27, of Marina, Calif., was indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 4, 2022. On Feb. 10, 2025, Tellez Solis pleaded guilty to one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of distribution of fentanyl, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the plea agreement and court documents, Tellez Solis used social media applications such as Snapchat and Telegram to advertise, sell, and distribute controlled substances such as fentanyl-laced counterfeit oxycodone pills (known as “M30” pills or “blues”), cocaine, Ecstasy/MDMA, Hydrocodone/Norco tablets, marijuana, and Alprazolam/Xanax tablets. On March 3, 2022, Tellez Solis contacted a 15-year-old minor via Snapchat and offered to sell him 13 M30 pills, knowing that the pills contained fentanyl or some other federally controlled substance. The next day, Tellez Solis delivered at least nine M30 to the 15-year-old, who then suffered a fatal overdose.
During a search of Tellez Solis’s car, law enforcement found a stash of controlled substances, $17,243 in cash, a loaded firearm, three fully loaded magazines, and an additional 89 rounds of ammunition. An additional $98,246 in cash was found inside of his home.
“While this sentence brings a measure of justice to the community for this crime, it can never undo the pain and devastation the defendant’s reprehensible actions caused the victim’s family,” said United States Attorney Craig H. Missakian. “We will continue to work closely with our federal and local law enforcement partners to fight the scourge of fentanyl and other illegal narcotics pouring over our border. We owe the victim’s family and the people of the Northern District of California nothing less.”
“Edward Tellez Solis used social media as a superhighway to sell lethal drugs and line his pockets with the proceeds. Today’s sentencing marks a crucial step in bringing justice to the victim and a family devastated by the scourge of fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. “We will be relentless in our pursuit of unscrupulous drug dealers who distribute poison in our community.”
In addition to the prison term, Judge Davila also sentenced the defendant to a three-year period of supervised release and ordered Tellez Solis to pay $29,895.85 in restitution to the family of the minor overdose victim. The defendant was immediately remanded into custody.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amani S. Floyd and Dan M. Karmel prosecuted the case with the assistance of Veronica Hernandez. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the DEA and the County of Monterey Sheriff’s Office.