E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted an Orange County man on charges related to the distribution of fentanyl, which allegedly led to two fatal overdoses in the spring of 2023. Michel Joseph Abdallah, 21, also known as "Mike," from Laguna Niguel, faces a six-count indictment. The charges include two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, two counts of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
Abdallah is expected to be arraigned in United States District Court in Santa Ana in the coming weeks. He is currently held in state custody.
The indictment details that Abdallah distributed fentanyl to a victim identified as "C.R." on March 25, 2023, in Mission Viejo. C.R.'s use of the drug resulted in a fatal overdose. On May 15, 2023, in Aliso Viejo, Abdallah allegedly distributed fentanyl again to another victim, "L.F.," who ingested the drug and died.
Further allegations state that on June 10, 2023, Abdallah possessed a total of 1.3 kilograms (2.9 pounds) of fentanyl and two firearms. One firearm was an AR-15-style pistol without a serial number, commonly referred to as a "ghost gun."
It is important to note that an indictment is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
If convicted on all charges, Abdallah could face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and up to life imprisonment.
The investigation into this case is being conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Orange County Sheriff's Department, and the Santa Ana Police Department.
Assistant United States Attorney Lisa J. Lindhorst from the Orange County Office is prosecuting this case.
