Lakeside Gang Member Indicted In Fentanyl Overdose Death
SAN DIEGO - Documented Lakeside gang member Uriah Odish was indicted by a federal grand jury for selling fentanyl that led to the death of a 25-year-old La Mesa woman, identified in court documents only as T.H., who was found dead in her home on January 23.
“By holding dealers accountable for the deaths of overdose victims, we bring justice to loved ones and reaffirm to all those dealing in death that we will not let it go unpunished,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen I. Flowers.
Odish, 28, made an appearance in federal court yesterday morning before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchell D. Dembin. The defendant declined to seek bond and remains in custody. His next hearing is scheduled for May 4.
According to court records, Odish has numerous arrests and at least one prior drug felony. As a result of his prior felony drug offense, Odish could face a mandatory sentence of life in prison for the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death.
Odish is the fourth person since January to be charged in the Southern District of California with Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in the Death. The other cases with DEA involvement include:
- On March 16, 2018, Corey Green was charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of a Fallbrook man. Two days before he was found dead on the floor of his home, he’d told his wife he’d been sober for 100 days. She called 911 but it was too late.
- On March 2, 2018, Kyle Shephard was charged with distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of a 25-year-old Marine Corporal at Camp Pendleton. According to the complaint, Shephard distributed fentanyl pills to the Marine Corporal with Shephard acknowledging that the pills could lead to an overdose.
The United States faces the deadliest drug crisis in history. Approximately 64,000 Americans lost their lives to drug overdoses in 2016 - the highest drug death toll and the fastest increase in that death toll in American history. This epidemic is being driven primarily by opioids - prescription painkillers, heroin, and synthetic drugs like fentanyl. For Americans under the age of 50, drug overdoses are now the leading cause of death.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is working closely with the United States Attorney’s Office, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and our other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute these cases.
Other Agencies: La Mesa Police Department, United States Attorney’s Office.
