A 21-year-old Fresno man is going down for his role in a fatal fentanyl overdose. Lakota Tehya Wakley of Clovis was sentenced to eight years in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute fentanyl, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The investigation began after a 24-year-old Fresno man overdosed on fentanyl and died. Wakley’s alleged crime took place between November 18, 2024, and December 9, 2024, during which he conspired with others to distribute fentanyl.
At the center of the case was Wakley’s supposed partnership with a co-defendant, who allegedly sold fentanyl pills to users. Wakley would then receive a cut of the profits. The relationship between Wakley and the victim is particularly disturbing, as the victim was one of the people Wakley referred to the co-defendant for fentanyl.
The case is a product of the Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team (FORT), a multi-agency team composed of Homeland Security Investigations, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Fresno Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Calvin Lee and Arin C. Heinz are prosecuting the case.
The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Kirk E. Sherriff, who found that Wakley directly caused the victim’s death. The fact that the court found Wakley directly responsible for the victim’s death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of fentanyl overdoses.
This case is part of Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge (S.O.S.), a program designed to reduce the supply of deadly synthetic opioids in high-impact areas, as well as identifying wholesale distribution networks and international and domestic suppliers. The program was first announced in July 2018 and is being implemented in the Eastern District of California and nine other federal districts.
As the nation grapples with the fentanyl crisis, cases like Wakley’s serve as a harsh reminder of the toll this epidemic is taking on communities. The Fentanyl Overdose Resolution Team and Operation Synthetic Opioid Surge are crucial in addressing the root causes of this crisis and bringing those responsible to justice.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|
- Source: Official Source ↗
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