Tony Davis Gets 13 Years in Fentanyl Death

San Diego man Tony Davis, 65, was sentenced to 156 months in federal prison for distributing heroin and fentanyl that led to the fatal overdose of a 41-year-old woman on October 24, 2018. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Cathy Ann Bencivengo on November 19, 2021, marks a rare conviction under federal drug-induced death statutes targeting mid-level suppliers.

Davis admitted in his plea agreement that he sold more than 100 grams of what he knew to be heroin in the fall of 2018. On the day of the overdose, he delivered a batch laced with fentanyl to a street-level dealer who then passed it to the victim. The chain of distribution was traced through digital evidence and witness testimony gathered by DEA Narcotic Task Force Team 10, a multi-agency unit specializing in overdose death investigations.

Team 10 includes investigators from Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI, San Diego Police Department, CA Department of Health Care Services, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. The unit responds directly to overdose scenes and works to dismantle supply networks by targeting not just street dealers, but their sources. In this case, their probe led straight to Davis, sealing his fate in federal court.

‘As fentanyl continues to cut its devastating path in our community, we are committed to taking action to stop those who peddle this poison,’ said Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman. ‘We will use every available tool to hold traffickers accountable, confiscate their drugs and put an end to these tragic losses.’

DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Shelly S. Howe reinforced the message: ‘Overdose deaths continue to rise in San Diego County. The DEA and our law enforcement partners are attacking this problem by aggressively targeting the supply chain. It’s simple: If you provide or sell drugs that cause someone to die, we will come after you and your supplier.’

Davis was charged with distribution of heroin and fentanyl under 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1), and conspiracy to distribute heroin under § 846. The charges carry a mandatory minimum of five years and a maximum of 40 years in prison. Prosecutors Stephen H. Wong and Mikaela L. Weber, along with DEA Team 10, were credited by Grossman for their relentless pursuit of justice. For those struggling with addiction, help is available 24/7 by calling the Crisis line at 888-724-7240.