Two suspected drug dealers were arrested and charged with murder in connection to the fatal overdose of a 35-year-old California man late last year.
Christopher Lucia, 35, of Riverside, died of a suspected fentanyl overdose on November 13 after he was brought unconscious to a local hospital.
“Over the course of their investigation, detectives identified two people suspected of supplying the fentanyl to Christopher, as well as the person suspected of being their source of fentanyl,” Police in Riverside said.
Multiple search warrants were served in recent weeks in Riverside and Jurupa Valley during which investigators could locate and confiscate nearly one pound of powdered fentanyl, 11 firearms, and evidence proving the suspects kept dealing the opioid even after Lucia’s passing.
Police identified the suspects as Jaclyn Sherman, 30, and Miguel Garcia, 37. Both were charged with murder with Sherman facing an additional count of possession of illegal narcotics for the purpose of sales.
A third suspect, Jurupa Valley resident David Ray Mullins, 46, was arrested for illegal narcotics and weapons violations. Murder charges against him are expected.
A fourth, unidentified suspect was busted for possession of fentanyl.
“The death toll from fentanyl overdoses in Riverside County continues to rise and put all our community members at risk,” Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said.
“We won’t stop fighting to get rid of this deadly poison from our neighborhoods.”
