U.S. Attorney E. Martin Estrada | U.S. Department of Justice
A Palmdale man, Christopher Morales, 22, has been charged with an additional count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. This follows a federal grand jury indictment related to the death of a second victim in August. Morales was initially charged in October for his involvement in the first death in Palmdale.
The new charge comes as part of a superseding indictment returned by the federal grand jury on Wednesday. Morales is expected to be arraigned on these charges soon. Previously, he faced one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.
United States Attorney Martin Estrada stated, "The defendant allegedly chose financial gain over the life of another when he decided to traffic fentanyl." He emphasized that such actions are intolerable and assured continued efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis alongside law enforcement partners.
Anthony Chrysanthis, Deputy Special Agent in Charge for the DEA Los Angeles Field Division, noted that within five months, two victims died allegedly after receiving fentanyl from Morales. He warned that drug traffickers will not cease their activities despite fatalities but affirmed law enforcement's persistence.
The indictment alleges that the second victim succumbed to fentanyl poisoning at home shortly after purchasing the drug from Morales in August 2024. The investigation into Morales began after his arrest on September 9 following a victim's death in March 2024. A search conducted by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department uncovered 4.3 grams of fentanyl and incriminating text messages linking Morales to drug transactions with the first victim.
Morales remains in federal custody since his arrest on September 9. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years for each count of distribution resulting in death, with a possible maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. Assistant United States Attorney Kelsey A. Stimson is prosecuting this case.
An indictment comprises allegations against a defendant who is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
