Related Federal Cases
- Kyle Anthony Shephard, Fentanyl-Related Death, California 2017 · Wisconsin
- Ke-Shawn Rivers, Fentanyl Trafficking, California 2023 · California
- Emil Vladimirov Babadjov, Dark Web Fentanyl Trafficking, California · Wisconsin
- Bernardo Olivas Leyva, Fentanyl-Laced Pill Trafficking, California · California
- Paul Thomas Baldwin Jr., Fentanyl and Gun Trafficking, Anchorage AK… · California
Kyle Anthony Shephard Sentenced to 168 Months for Fentanyl Trafficking
A 29-year-old Escondido man has been sentenced to 168 months in prison for supplying the fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of a 25-year-old U.S. Marine corporal stationed at Camp Pendleton.
Kyle Anthony Shephard pleaded guilty in March, admitting that on the evening of January 27, 2017, he met with the Marine in Escondido and sold him four pills containing fentanyl that caused his death later that night or early the next morning.
The initial investigation was conducted by Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) agents, who continued to pursue leads for almost a year while the case remained unsolved. Shephard was arrested on December 13, 2017, by members of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department while executing a search warrant at a local casino.
Found in Shephard’s hotel room were 1,362 pills containing fentanyl, thousands in cash, packaging material, and four cell phones. A co-conspirator arrested earlier in the evening admitted to law enforcement that she and Shephard were aware they were dealing one of the “deadliest drugs.”
The Marine’s mother attended the sentencing and asked a friend to read her prepared statement: “On January 29, 2017, we received the dreaded knock at the door, in the middle of the night. The Marines came to inform us that (her son) was found unresponsive in his barracks. I now suffer with PTSD, and when I hear anyone at my door, it’s a trigger and I automatically panic with my heart dropping into the ground.
Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman said: “Another young life has been lost and a family destroyed because of fentanyl. Drug dealers who know their actions could have this outcome, and yet they peddle their poison anyway, must pay a stiff price. We will continue to aggressively pursue all those up the chain of distribution in these cases to ensure justice is served.”
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking