Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong (619) 546-9290  

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 16, 2019

SAN DIEGO – Drug dealer Trevon Antone Lucas was sentenced in federal court today to 15 years in prison for selling the counterfeit oxycodone pills containing deadly fentanyl that caused the overdose death of a La Jolla resident in June of 2018.    

Lucas, a resident of Highland, California, pleaded guilty in June to Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death. In his plea, he admitted that he posted online advertisements for the illegal sale of prescription pills. The investigation revealed that Lucas was warned about the danger of the pills he was selling on two separate occasions. In late 2017, Lucas was warned that the pills he was selling were counterfeit and contained fentanyl that was much stronger than oxycodone pills.  Then, just two months prior to the victim’s death in mid-2018, Lucas was explicitly warned that counterfeit pills containing fentanyl had caused the overdose of a San Diego resident.  Lucas was undeterred and continued to sell the counterfeit pills.

“Trevon Lucas knew the pills he was selling were deadly, but he sold them anyway, showing a remarkable disregard for the safety and well-being of his fellow human beings,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “His greed transcended his humanity, and for that he will serve a very long sentence.” Brewer praised prosecutor Michael Deshong and federal, state and local investigators who worked hard to protect the community from the scourge of opioids and achieve justice for the victim and his family.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “The potential of their loved one will never be realized; but their hopes, dreams, love and laughter will forever be remembered. Earthly justice is a small measure of what awaits those who prey on the weak out of greed.”  Flowers further stated, “We at DEA are proud to be part of bringing justice to families scarred by the scourge of drug trafficking. We are relentless and we will not shy from putting murderers out of business.  No matter how hard it is or how long it takes, DEA will always be in pursuit until we can close the case and look at the victim’s loved ones and say, justice is done.”

According to Lucas’ plea agreement, on the evening of June 29, 2018, Lucas met the victim and sold him nine “blues,” a slang term for prescription oxycodone pills, for $240.  The “blues” purchased from Lucas were counterfeit and contained deadly fentanyl—the same pills that Lucas had previously been warned about selling.  The victim died after consuming the pills.  The victim’s mother found him dead in his room the following morning.      

Three other individuals, Cenclair Marie Fields, Kevin Vandale Chandler and Donovan Adontas Carter were  charged in the same indictment with conspiring with Lucas to distribute prescription hydrocodone pills.  All three have since pleaded guilty and been sentenced. 

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and multiple law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs that result in overdose deaths.

Many opioid addicts start their addiction with legitimate prescription drugs. Drug cartels, looking to capitalize on the opioid epidemic, are making counterfeit prescription pills using deadly fentanyl.  More than 399,000 people died from opioid overdoses, including prescription and illicit opioids, from 1999–2017.

In July 2018, Narcotics Task Force Team 10 was created to address drug overdose deaths in San Diego County.  Team 10’s first investigation was the fentanyl drug overdose of this La Jolla man on June 30, 2018.  The victim was 37 years old and he left behind his mother and brother.  He had recently completed his bachelor’s degree in radiological sciences and was preparing to fly to the East Coast for a specialized program in dosimetry at the time he passed. 

DEFENDANTS                                            Case Number 18cr4224-CAB         

Trevon Antone Lucas                                     Age: 23                       Highland, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(b)(1)(C)

Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 20 years in prison up to life

AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

San Diego Police Department

Homeland Security Investigations

California Department of Health Care Services

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

 

Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong (619) 546-9290  

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – April 24, 2019

SAN DIEGO – Drug dealer Trevon Antone Lucas pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he sold pills containing fentanyl to a La Jolla man, causing his fatal overdose last year.  

Lucas, a resident of Highland, California, admitted in his plea agreement that he posted online advertisements for the illegal sale of prescription pills. The victim responded to one of Lucas’ posts in 2017 and began purchasing various prescription pills from him.

According to his plea agreement, on the evening of June 29, 2018, Lucas met the victim and sold him nine “blues,” a slang term for prescription oxycodone pills, for $240.  The “blues” purchased from Lucas were counterfeit and contained deadly fentanyl.  The victim was found dead in his room the following morning.      

“This is what the deadly fentanyl crisis looks like at Ground Zero,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer. “It’s not some far off problem. It is a mother finding her son dead on the floor after he swallowed a substance so dangerous that in its purest form, even a tiny amount touching the skin can be deadly. Those who sell fentanyl resulting in death will be held accountable for their callous and reckless disregard for human life.”

Text messages between the victim and Lucas indicated that Lucas sold the counterfeit pills laced with fentanyl that caused the fatal overdose. Three other individuals, Cenlair Marie Fields, Kevin Vandale Chandler and Donovan Adontas Carter were  charged in the same indictment with conspiring with Lucas to distribute prescription hydrocodone pills.  All three have since pleaded guilty. 

Lucas is scheduled to be sentenced on July 19, 2019 before U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo. 

This case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, and multiple law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs that result in overdose deaths.

Many opioid addicts start their addiction with legitimate prescription drugs. Drug cartels, looking to capitalize on the opioid epidemic, are making counterfeit prescription pills using deadly fentanyl.  More than 399,000 people died from opioid overdoses, including prescription and illicit opioids, from 1999-2017.

In July 2018, Narcotics Task Force Team 10 was created to address drug overdose deaths in San Diego County.  Team 10’s first investigation was the fentanyl drug overdose of this La Jolla man on June 30, 2018.  The victim was 38 years old and he left behind his mother and brother.

“These types of investigations are unique and are changing perceptions about drug use and addiction in the law enforcement community,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Karen Flowers. “Team 10 is bearing witness to the carnage and despair that each drug overdose victim leaves behind: families devastated, friends grief-stricken and the future of loved ones ripped away in an instant.  That alone is one of the hardest things in life to understand and accept.

“Today’s plea deal sends a powerful message to anyone seeking to profit from selling drugs,” Flowers said.  “If your client dies, the law will come for you and you will be prosecuted accordingly.  These men made choices that deprived them of their hopes and dreams in their futures. Trevon Lucas is 23 years old and he just pleaded guilty to a crime that requires a 20-year sentence in federal prison. For Team 10 investigators and our community, today is bittersweet.  Justice was served.”

The power to make a difference starts at home, beginning with returning unused, unwanted and expired medications susceptible to theft and abuse. This Saturday, April 27th, the DEA is providing a free and anonymous service to “Take Back” prescription drugs.  There will be over 6,000 DEA collection sites nationally.  DEA Take Back Day provides an actionable way for any American to step up and help combat this crisis by simply cleaning out their medicine cabinet.  To find a location near you, go to www.DEATAKEBACK.com.  Keep them safe.  Clean them out.  Take them back.

DEFENDANTS                                            Case Number 18cr4224-CAB         

Trevon Antone Lucas                                     Age: 23                                   Highland, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(b)(1)(C)

Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 20 years’ imprisonment up to life

AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

San Diego Police Department

Homeland Security Investigations

California Department of Health Care Services

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

 

Assistant U. S. Attorney Michael A. Deshong (619) 546-9290  

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – October 10, 2018

SAN DIEGO – 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 yesterday, 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 yesterday morning.  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. 

 DEFENDANTS                                           Case Number 18cr4224-CAB         

Trevon Antone Lucas                                     Age: 23                                   Highland, CA

Cenclair Marie Fields                                     Age: 23                                   Highland, CA

Kevin Vandale Chandler                                Age: 24                                   Highland, CA

Donovan Adontas Carter                                Age: 23                                   San Bernardino, CA

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(b)(1)(C)

Maximum Penalty: Mandatory minimum 20 years’ imprisonment up to life

Conspiracy to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute Hyrdrocodone – Title 21, U.S.C., Sections 846 and 841(a)(1) & (b)(1)(C)

Maximum Penalty: 20 years

AGENCIES

Drug Enforcement Administration

San Diego Police Department

Homeland Security Investigations

California Department of Health Care Services

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.