Michele Beckwith Acting U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of California
A federal grand jury has indicted Timothy Austin Pannell, 32, from South Lake Tahoe, on charges of distributing fentanyl resulting in death. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents reveal that on February 12, 2024, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to a 911 call about multiple overdoses at a local residence. Upon arrival, first responders found four individuals deceased and one survivor.
It is alleged that two of the deceased had met with Pannell, also known as "Frog," after a Super Bowl party in a church parking lot in South Lake Tahoe. Pannell reportedly sold them fentanyl under the guise of cocaine. The men then returned to their residence and shared what they believed was cocaine with three others.
The investigation involves the FBI, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff's Office, and El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is handling the prosecution.
Pannell remains in federal custody awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and could receive up to life imprisonment along with a $1 million fine. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; Pannell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
