Marcus Ray Chavez, 30, of Bonita, California, was sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison after being convicted for providing fentanyl pills that resulted in the fatal overdose of a 15-year-old girl in 2022. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California made the announcement on February 28.
Chavez had supplied the girl with counterfeit “M30″ pills containing fentanyl on multiple occasions between September and November 2022, exchanging the drugs for sex, despite knowing that she was underage. Tragically, on November 12, 2022, the victim fatally overdosed on the fentanyl-laced pills.
At the time of her death, the victim was a ninth-grade student, remembered by her family and friends for her bright personality and dreams of owning a hair salon. The case has highlighted the dangers of fentanyl and its impact on vulnerable individuals.
Federal authorities continue to emphasize the deadly risks posed by fentanyl, with lab tests revealing that half of the pills contained potentially lethal doses of the substance. DEA Special Agent Brian Clark stated, “Fentanyl’s grip tightens the chains of exploitation,” as Chavez now faces over 20 years of imprisonment to reflect on his actions.
