Suspected drug dealer Trevon Lucas was indicted by a federal grand jury for distributing fentanyl that caused the death of a La Jolla resident, identified only as C.A.S. in court filings.

According to statements made by prosecutors at his detention hearing, C.A.S. was found dead in his mother’s home on the morning of June 30, 2018.  Evidence obtained from C.A.S.’s cellular phone and a parking lot surveillance camera indicate he met Lucas to purchase prescription oxycodone pills around 11:20 p.m. the night before his mother found his body. Law enforcement officials recovered counterfeit oxycodone pills that contained fentanyl from C.A.S.’s residence, and the medical examiner has since identified fentanyl intoxication as the cause of death.

Lucas and three other residents of the Highland / San Bernardino area – Cenclair Fields, Donovan Carter, and Kevin Chandler – were also indicted for their roles in an ongoing conspiracy to distribute pharmaceutical pills containing hydrocodone. Law enforcement officials have gathered evidence indicating that Lucas and Carter posted advertisements on a well-known website to illegally sell prescription pills.

“Fentanyl is claiming record numbers of victims, most of whom don’t even know they’re swallowing a pill that’s laced with the deadly drug,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Braverman. “Those who sell fentanyl resulting in death will be held accountable for their callous and reckless disregard for human life.”

“We’re seeing a dangerous trend of drug dealers and cartels cutting various drugs with fentanyl, which is a recipe for death,” said District Attorney Summer Stephan. “When you sell fentanyl to another human being, you are providing them with toxic poison that can kill them in a matter of seconds. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl can be deadly, which is why we’re working with our partners at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Drug Enforcement Administration to address this disturbing trend.”

“Unless you buy your prescription pills from a legitimate pharmacy, it’s very likely you’ll get fake prescription pills laced with deadly fentanyl,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “Individuals seeking to make an easy buck are putting fentanyl into fake pills and passing them off as legitimate prescription medications. DEA and our law enforcement partners will continue to target and relentlessly pursue the individuals who are selling fake prescription pills laced with deadly fentanyl to citizens in our community.”

Lucas, Carter, Chandler, and Fields made their initial appearances in federal court Friday, October 5, before U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara L. Major, followed by a detention hearing. Judge Major detained Lucas based on the seriousness of the charges against him, while setting bonds for Fields, Carter and Chandler. Their next hearing is scheduled for November 9, 2018 before U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo.

Lucas is the fifth person since January to be charged in the Southern District of California with Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death. This case involved a collaborative effort between the United States Attorney’s Office and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.