A drug dealer pleaded guilty in San Diego federal court Tuesday to selling pills that contained the synthetic opioid fentanyl to a La Jolla man, causing the victim’s overdose death last year.
Trevon Antone Lucas, 23, of Highland, admitting posting online advertisements for the sale of prescription pills, some of which were purchased by the unnamed 38-year-old victim, according to federal prosecutors, who say Lucas met with the man last June 29 and sold him nine “blues” — or prescription oxycodone pills — for $240. The “blues” turned out to be laced with fentanyl and the victim was found dead the following morning.
“This is what the deadly fentanyl crisis looks like at Ground Zero,” U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer said. “It’s not some far-off problem. It is a mother finding her son dead on the floor after he swallowed a substance so dangerous that in its purest form, even a tiny amount touching the skin can be deadly. Those who sell fentanyl resulting in death will be held accountable for their callous and reckless disregard for human life.”
Prosecutors say text messages between Lucas and the victim confirmed Lucas sold him the pills that led to his death.
Lucas entered his plea to a single count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, which carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. He’s slated to be sentenced July 19.
Three others were indicted along with Lucas for conspiring to distribute prescription hydrocodone pills. Cenclair Marie Fields, Kevin Vandale Chandler and Donovan Adontas Carter all have since pleaded guilty.
—City News Service