Tara K. McGrath, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California
Jonathan Tyler Gauthier has pleaded guilty in a federal court to supplying fentanyl that led to the deaths of two individuals, S.M.G. and J.A.W., in San Diego in 2022. According to the plea agreement, on September 7, 2022, San Diego Police responded to a residence in Hillcrest where they found 24-year-old S.M.G. deceased. Evidence from S.M.G.'s phone indicated a history of drug purchases from Gauthier dating back to at least 2019.
Cell phone records and witness interviews revealed that S.M.G. traveled to Gauthier's location in La Jolla on September 6, 2022. Despite being warned by Gauthier about the potency of the batch, S.M.G. proceeded with the purchase and was later found dead after going to his bedroom that evening.
On December 24, 2022, officers were called to another residence where they found J.A.W., aged 27, who was pronounced dead shortly after attempts to revive him failed. A family member last saw him alive on December 23 at night and discovered evidence of drug use near his body. Tests confirmed that pills marked "M30" contained fentanyl.
J.A.W.'s communication with Gauthier began on December 18 as he sought counterfeit pills known as "blues." They agreed on a price for the drugs and completed the transaction at Gauthier’s storage unit before J.A.W.'s death.
Gauthier is scheduled for sentencing on May 30, 2025, before U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino. The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Gordon and David Fawcett with investigative efforts led by Special Agents and Task Force Officers from several agencies including DEA’s Overdose Response Team and HSI’s FAST team.
The investigation highlights ongoing efforts by multiple agencies within San Diego County focusing on addressing illegal drug distribution leading to overdose deaths, particularly involving fentanyl.
