Delay in sentencing for drug dealer who sold fentanyl that killed two

An attorney for a drug dealer who sold fentanyl to two people who died in North Park has won a delay in his sentencing until Nov. 14.

The U.S. Attorney’s office opposed the delay for Scott Anthony Sargent, 64, who had been set for sentencing Aug. 15 in the deaths of Sam Guest, 24, of Hillcrest, and Jesse White, age unavailable.

Sargent was among four people, including Guest and White, who were found on the floor of a bedroom in North Park by San Diego police on the morning of Nov. 10, 2022 after someone called 911.

Sargent and one other person responded to treatment with Narcan in a hospital, according to court records. But Guest and White were prounced dead from a mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl.

“Defense counsel represents that he needs more time to prepare for sentencing and that he would be ineffective as counsel if required to go forward,” according to the minute order on Aug. 15. “The court determines that a continuance is warranted.”

“The court acknowledges the prolongation of the proceeding is not only inconvenient for, but also potentially painful to the families of the victims in this case,” wrote U.S. District Court Judge Robert Huie.

This sentence could be very long for Sargent. Jonathan Tyler Gauthier, 26, received 30 years in prison on July 3 for the same offense when he sold fentanyl to two friends who died.

Huie noted that Sargent has forfeited an appeal due to his guilty plea to supplying fentanyl to two people who died. Huie added he does not intend to grant further delays if one of the attorneys is opposed to it.

Sargent was in possession of a firearm at the scene and has had five prior felony convictions since 2006, according to records. 

His backpack was searched at the scene, and it contained other drugs, including methamphetamine. A search of his storage locker turned up two handguns and some cocaine, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.

Sargent remains behind bars without bail.