Danny Nunez from San Diego has been sentenced to over 15 years in federal prison for providing fentanyl that led to the death of a 25-year-old woman from Escondido. The court found Nunez guilty of selling fentanyl to the victim, identified as L.P., on September 11, 2024. The following day, her parents discovered her deceased at home.
In an undercover operation on October 3, 2024, Escondido Police detectives posed as L.P. and contacted Nunez to purchase more fentanyl. He agreed and was arrested when he attempted to deliver two baggies containing a total of 8.9 grams of fentanyl.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon stated, "The defendant stole a young life and shattered a family by peddling deadly fentanyl." He emphasized that the sentence serves as a warning that those trafficking dangerous substances will face serious consequences.
Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of HSI San Diego, remarked on the importance of law enforcement partnerships in tackling drug distribution: “This investigation is an example of the strong partnerships between our state and local law enforcement partners.” David King from the San Diego Imperial Valley HIDTA highlighted the commitment to reducing overdose deaths and holding drug traffickers accountable.
Escondido Police Lt. Ryan Hicks reiterated their commitment to combating illicit drug distribution with support from federal partners: “The Escondido Police Department works aggressively to identify and hold accountable anyone who chooses to participate in the poisoning of our community.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney Sean Van Demark is prosecuting this case with investigative efforts led by Special Agents and Task Force Officers from the Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST). FAST focuses on disrupting criminal organizations involved in smuggling and distributing fentanyl within San Diego County since its establishment in August 2022.
HSI’s FAST aims to combat overdoses by targeting smuggling networks, while HIDTA supports law enforcement efforts in critical drug-trafficking regions across the United States through grants administered by the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
