A Chula Vista man will be sentenced May 29 after pleading guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl to a woman who later died in her home in 2018.
Michael Steen, 27, who is also known in social media as Yung Poppy, faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.
The victim is only identified by the initials M.P. in court documents. It says the 33-year-old woman died in her Ramona home on July 9, 2018, the same day she purchased the drug from Steen.
“This case should put dealers on notice that every time we have an overdose death, we are going to come looking for you, because many lives are at stake,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Brewer.
“We are using every available criminal and civil tool to combat this deadly epidemic and stop these tragic losses,” said Brewer.
Steen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute a mixture of drugs that included fentanyl in March. U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel set sentencing for May 29.
Steen was arrested almost a year ago. A magistrate ordered him detained without bail in the Metropolitan Correction Center in San Diego, according to court records.
“This case is an example of the DEA, the sheriff’s department and the U.S. Attorney’s office working together with one definitive goal: to put people responsible for drug deaths in jail,” said DEA special Agent in charge John Callery.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue those who deal drugs and cause death in our community,” added Callery.
“Sheriff’s deputies are on the front lines of combating the proliferation of illicit fentanyl,” said sheriff’s Captain Justin White. “There are many stories of lives stolen.”
“In this case, the victim is a young woman from Ramona who was just starting off in life,” said White. “The sheriff’s department is dedicated to working with our federal, state, and local partners in holding those accountable for the distribution, supply or manufacturing of this potent painkiller.”
