Brandon Jacob Shepherd, Fentanyl Distribution, California 2021

A San Diego resident has been sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for his role in distributing fentanyl that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Brandon Jacob Shepherd was sentenced in federal court to 13 years and 11 months in prison for selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of P.E.R., an 18-year-old San Diego woman, in January 2020. Shepherd received one month of custodial credit for time served in a local facility before being transferred to federal custody.

The investigation into P.E.R.’s death was led by Special Agents and Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration, who identified Shepherd as the source of the fentanyl. Investigators searched Shepherd’s hotel room and found packages containing fentanyl powder, counterfeit blue ‘M30’ pharmaceutical tablets laced with fentanyl, digital scales bearing fentanyl residue, cash, and unused plastic baggies.

Shepherd previously admitted to coordinating a sale of fentanyl to P.E.R. with co-defendant Leon Chester Kolin III on the evening of January 14, 2020. He sold P.E.R. and Kolin a gram of fentanyl for $100 or $120 in his hotel room.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised prosecutors Owen Roth and Lawrence Casper, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Narcotics Task Force Team 10 and officials from partnering state and federal agencies, for their excellent work on the case.

The case is the result of ongoing efforts by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the San Diego Police Department, and the California Department of Health Care Services to investigate and prosecute the distribution of dangerous illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, the office will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute anyone who seeks to profit from or further their own addiction by peddling fentanyl.

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s Acting Special Agent in Charge, Shelly S. Howe, stated that individuals like Brandon Shepherd are fueling the fire of the drug epidemic and that his sentencing sends a stark reminder that those who choose to sell drugs and risk the lives of others will be held accountable.

The case is a stark reminder of the dangers of fentanyl and the importance of holding those responsible for its distribution accountable. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as more information becomes available.

Defendant: Brandon Jacob Shepherd

Charges: Selling fentanyl that resulted in the death of an 18-year-old woman

City and State: San Diego, California

Date: January 14, 2020 (crime date)

Sentence: 13 years and 11 months in prison

Custodial credit: 1 month for time served in a local facility

Fine: None

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