San Diego Man Sentenced to 156 Months’ Custody in Fentanyl Overdose Death

NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 19, 2021

SAN DIEGO – Tony Davis was sentenced today in federal court by U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo to 156 months’ custody for supplying the heroin and fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of a 41-year-old San Diego woman, on October 24, 2018.

According to his plea agreement, Davis agreed to sell more than 100 grams of what he knew to be heroin in the fall of 2018, and on October 24, 2018 he distributed heroin and fentanyl to another street-level drug dealer who in turn distributed the drugs that caused the victim’s death.

DEA Narcotic Task Force Team 10 led the investigation in this case. Team 10 is a specialty unit, with investigators from HSI, FBI, San Diego Police Department, CA Department of Health Care Services and the San Diego District Attorney’s Office, that investigates overdose deaths in San Diego.  Team 10 responds to the discovery of overdose victims and aggressively pursues criminal cases, up the distribution chain, against the dealers and their sources of supply.

“As fentanyl continues to cut its devastating path in our community, we are committed to taking action to stop those who peddle this poison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. “We will use every available tool to hold traffickers accountable, confiscate their drugs and put an end to these tragic losses.”

“Overdose deaths continue to rise in San Diego County,” said DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe.  “The DEA and our law enforcement partners are attacking this problem by aggressively targeting the supply chain. It’s simple: If you provide or sell drugs that cause someone to die, we will come after you and your supplier.”

The United States Attorney’s Office is working closely with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, local police departments, the Drug Enforcement Administration and other federal, state and local law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute cases targeting those who supply drugs in fatal overdose cases.

Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman praised prosecutors Stephen H. Wong and Mikaela L. Weber as well as DEA Team 10 investigators for their hard work on the case.

For those who suffer from addiction, please know there is help. Call the Crisis line at 888-724-7240; it’s always open.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 19-CR-0294-CAB

Tony Davis                                                    Age: 65         

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Distribution of Heroin and Fentanyl – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1)

Conspiracy to Distribute Heroin – Title 21, U.S.C., Section 841(a)(1) & 846

Penalties: Mandatory minimum five years in prison; maximum 40 years in prison

AGENCY

Drug Enforcement Administration