Suspected online drug dealer indicted in fentanyl overdose death

SAN DIEGO – Suspected drug dealer Trevon Lucas was indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a La Jolla resident, identified only as C.A.S. in court filings.

According to statements made by prosecutors at his detention hearing yesterday, C.A.S. was found dead in his mother’s home on the morning of June 30, 2018.  Evidence obtained from C.A.S.’s cellular phone and a parking lot surveillance camera indicate he met Lucas to purchase prescription oxycodone pills around 11:20 p.m. the night before his mother found his body. Law enforcement officials recovered counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl from C.A.S.’s residence, and the medical examiner has since identified fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death.    

Lucas and three other residents of the Highland / San Bernardino area—Cenclair Fields, Donovan Carter, and Kevin Chandler—were also indicted for their roles in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute pharmaceutical pills containing hydrocodone. Law enforcement officials have gathered evidence indicating that Lucas and Carter posted advertisements on a well-known website to illegally sell prescription pills.

“Unless you buy your prescription pills from a legitimate pharmacy, it’s very likely you’ll get fake prescription pills laced with deadly fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers.  “Individuals seeking to make an easy buck are putting fentanyl into fake pills and passing them off as legitimate prescription medications. DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to target and relentlessly pursue the individuals who are selling fake prescription pills laced with deadly fentanyl to citizens in our community.”

Lucas, Carter, Chandler, and Fields made their initial appearances in federal court Friday, Oct. 5, 2018, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major, followed by a detention hearing yesterday morning.  Judge Major detained Lucas based on the seriousness of the charges against him, while setting bonds for Fields, Carter and Chandler.  Their next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2018, before U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo.

Lucas is the fifth person since January to be charged in the Southern District of California with Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death.

 Other Agencies: United States Attorney’s Office, San Diego Police Department, Homeland Security Investigations, California Department of Health Care Services, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

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