California DHCS assisted with investigation
“Investigators from the local, state and federal level are teaming up to investigate fatal overdoses involving fentanyl in order to hold those who distributed it accountable. The widespread use of fentanyl and the overdose deaths associated with it are hurting families.”
– CSLEA President Alan Barcelona
SAN DIEGO – On April 25, 2024, Scott Anthony Sargent, 63, of San Diego appeared in federal court to face charges that he distributed the fentanyl that resulted in the deaths of two victims in North Park in 2022. During the same incident, Sargent and another person also overdosed but survived.
Sargent is also charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine. At the April 25th hearing, Sargent was detained without bond.
San Diego Police officers along with investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team responded to a 911 call just before 6 a.m. on November 10, 2022. When they arrived, four individuals were found lying on the floor of a bedroom. Two of the individuals, identified in court records by the initials Z.W. and M.L., were pronounced dead at the scene, while Sargent and another individual were treated with Narcan and transported to nearby hospitals where they recovered.
Sargent allegedly brought and then distributed the fatal mix of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl (a common fentanyl analogue) to a residence in North Park. Investigators linked Sargent to the overdoses through the fentanyl/para-fluorofentanyl mixture found at the overdose location. The mixture was also found inside Sargent’s backpack and duffel bag recovered from the scene. A subsequent search by investigators of Sargent’s storage unit also turned up additional baggies containing the same combination of fentanyl/para-fluorofentanyl.
INVESTIGATING AGENCIES
Drug Enforcement Administration
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Homeland Security Investigations
San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego Police Department
State of California Department of Health Care Services
