San Diego Man Charged with Distributing Fentanyl that Killed Two

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San Diego, CA – Scott Anthony Sargent, a 63-year-old man from San Diego, appeared in federal court on April 25, 2024, to face charges that he distributed the fentanyl that resulted in the deaths of two victims in North Park in 2022. Sargent is also charged with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine.

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According to court records, Sargent allegedly brought and distributed a fatal mix of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl to a residence in North Park on November 10, 2022. At the time, San Diego Police officers and investigators from the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Overdose Response Team responded to a 911 call and found four individuals lying on the floor of a bedroom. Two of the individuals, identified as 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.

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The mixture of fentanyl and para-fluorofentanyl was found at the overdose location and inside Sargent’s backpack and duffel bag, which were recovered from the scene. Investigators also found additional baggies containing the same combination of fentanyl/para-fluorofentanyl in Sargent’s storage unit.

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“Fentanyl kills indiscriminately,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. “Yet as was accomplished in this case investigators will leave no stone unturned in the effort to identify and charge distributors of this poison.”

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“Mr. Sargent’s alleged actions cost two people their lives,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Anthony Chrysanthis. “The San Diego DEA and its partners are dedicated to bringing to justice those that sell, traffic, or provide fentanyl in our community.”

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Sargent is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Gordon and Sarah Goldwasser. 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—fentanyl in particular—that result in overdose deaths.

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The Drug Enforcement Administration created the Overdose Response Team as a response to the increase in overdose deaths in San Diego County. Sargent is being held without bond.

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The charges against Sargent include Distribution of Fentanyl Resulting in Death and Conspiracy to Distribute Fentanyl and Methamphetamine. The maximum penalty for each charge is life in prison, with a mandatory minimum of 20 years for the distribution charge and 10 years for the conspiracy charge.

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The case number is 24-CR-807-RSH.