Assistant U. S. Attorneys Mark Conover (619) 546-6763 and David P. Finn (619) 546-7342
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY - Sept. 17, 2019
SAN DIEGO - Uriah Odish pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he supplied fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of 25-year-old Tiffany Hansen of La Mesa on Jan. 23, 2018.
According to his plea agreement, Odish sold more than 500 grams of what he knew to be fentanyl between 2017 and the day of the fatal overdose. He pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Karen Crawford to Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 17, 2019 by U.S. District Judge Barry Ted Moskowitz.
“Every time we have an overdose death, we are going to come looking for the dealer," said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “We are using every available criminal and civil tool to combat this deadly epidemic and stop these tragic losses."
“We work every day to save lives and we grieve when we lose a precious soul to drugs," said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “We will continue to pursue anyone who deals death. Is that you? If so, we are coming and your time will soon be spent behind bars. We are relentless."
The United States Attorney’s Office is working closely with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration and our other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute cases targeting those who supply drugs in fatal overdose cases.
U.S. Attorney Brewer praised prosecutors Mark Conover and David Finn as well as DEA agents and La Mesa police for their hard work on the case.
For those who suffer from addiction, please know there is help. Call the Crisis line at 888-724-7240; it’s always open.
DEFENDANT Case Number 18-CR-1812-BTM
Uriah Odish Age: 28
SUMMARY OF CHARGES
Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl - Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1)
Maximum penalty: Mandatory minimum 10 years in prison up to life
AGENCY
La Mesa Police Department
U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Narcotics Task Force
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
