E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
A Wisconsin man, Anthony Ruben Whisenant, has pleaded guilty to a felony drug offense linked to a 2020 fentanyl transaction that resulted in the death of a fellow U.S. Marine. Whisenant admitted to using a cellphone to commit the offense in United States District Court.
The sentencing is set for May 7 by United States District Judge Dolly M. Gee, where Whisenant could face up to four years in federal prison.
“Fentanyl continues to claim the lives of too many in our community,” stated Acting United States Attorney Joseph McNally. “Our office remains committed to holding accountable those responsible for circulating fentanyl and other dangerous substances in our district and threatening the health and safety of our residents.”
Court documents reveal that in May 2020, while stationed at Camp Pendleton, Whisenant ordered pills advertised as oxycodone but containing fentanyl for another Marine identified as "L.M." The transaction was arranged through Gustavo Jaciel Solis via Snapchat. L.M., along with Whisenant and Ryan Douglas White, traveled from Camp Pendleton to acquire the drugs from Solis. After ingesting some pills at a party in Compton, L.M. died shortly after. White disposed of the remaining pills under Whisenant's direction before authorities arrived.
Solis was charged alongside Whisenant and two civilian co-conspirators for distributing narcotics within civilian circles and among Marines. He was arrested in July 2020 with narcotics and firearms seized from his residence. Solis pled guilty in April 2022 to federal drug trafficking offenses; his sentencing is pending with a potential life sentence.
White pled guilty in December 2024 for misprision of a felony related to his knowledge of the transaction and attempts to obstruct investigations. His sentencing is scheduled for June 6 with a possible three-year sentence.
A superseding indictment named additional defendants: Jordan Nicholas McCormick and Jessica Sarah Perez. McCormick allegedly supplied various drugs including fentanyl-laced oxycodone and will stand trial on April 22 after pleading not guilty. Perez admitted guilt regarding conspiracy charges involving controlled substances distribution, resulting in probation and fines imposed in September 2022.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, DEA, FBI, Postal Inspection Service, and Ventura County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Castañeda leads prosecution efforts within this case.
