E. Martin Estrada, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney's Office for the Central District of California
Federal prosecutors have filed 20 criminal cases this year against alleged drug dealers accused of selling fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pills that resulted in fatal overdoses. The announcement was made by law enforcement officials as part of the ongoing efforts of the OD Justice Task Force, a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-led initiative aimed at investigating fatal fentanyl poisonings.
The OD Justice program under the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division has fostered collaboration with local law enforcement agencies across seven counties in the Central District of California. Local authorities often respond first to overdose deaths, and DEA agents have trained numerous local agencies to analyze evidence for potential federal prosecution.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were an estimated 80,391 drug overdose deaths in the United States during 2024, with most related to fentanyl. Since its inception in 2018, the OD Justice Task Force has led to charges against 163 defendants for allegedly selling drugs resulting in fatal fentanyl poisonings.
"The charge of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment," stated law enforcement officials.
Several cases were highlighted:
- **United States v. McDevitt**: Michael McDevitt is charged with distributing fentanyl resulting in death and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He has pleaded not guilty, with a trial set for June 10.
- **United States v. Biswas**: Alexander Nihar Biswas faces charges for distributing fentanyl resulting in death. He awaits trial on October 20 after pleading not guilty.
- **United States v. Abdallah**: Michel Joseph Abdallah is charged with multiple counts related to fentanyl distribution resulting in two deaths and firearm possession linked to drug trafficking.
- **United States v. Casillas**: Jesus Erick Casillas is charged with distributing fentanyl leading to an overdose death. His trial is scheduled for October 26.
- **United States v. Putnam**: Macey Delynn Putnam faces charges related to a July 2024 overdose death and is out on bond awaiting trial on November 18.
- **United States v. Miller**: Myles Ray Miller is indicted for distributing fentanyl leading to death and possession with intent to distribute.
- **United States v. Lopez et al.**: Kevin Lopez, Jacqueline Carolina Fonseca-Flores, Brandon Ryan Osika, and Meloney Osika are accused of running a fentanyl distribution ring causing a fatality.
- **United States v. Perez**: Roberto Alexis Perez is charged with distributing fentanyl resulting in death.
- **United States v. Almazo**: Waldo Jesus Almazo Casarubbias faces charges for distributing fentanyl leading to death; his trial is set for January 2026.
- **United States v. Hoskinds**: Michael Hoskinds was arrested on charges of distributing fentanyl causing death; his trial begins June 3.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," emphasized officials, "All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
