A Chula Vista man was sentenced Aug. 5 to 12 years and four months in federal prison for supplying fentanyl to a woman who later died in a 2018 overdose.
Michael Steen, 27, who is also known as a comedian named Yung Poppy in social media, could have received a life term in prison from U.S. District Court Judge Gonzalo Curiel.
The victim, 33, was only identified by the initials M.P. in court documents.
The woman died in her Ramona home on July 9, 2018, the same day she purchased the drug from Steen.
Steen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute fentanyl. His girlfriend, Racquel Ramcharan, 23, pleaded guilty to possession of a mixture of drugs including fentanyl with intent to distribute. She was sentenced May 6 to credit for time served on three years probation, according to court records.
Steen sold 25 pills containing fentanyl for $650 to an undercover drug agent in Steen’s Mercedes Benz in a parking lot during the investigation, records say.
“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 in a statement.
“If you are selling fentanyl, beware: as today’s sentence reflects, you will be held fully accountable for the death and destruction you selfishly cause,” said Brewer.
“My office is collaborating with partners at every level to seize fentanyl at the border, build cases against cartels and street distributors, and pursue death charges against dealers of this deadly poison,” said Brewer.
Steen’s lawyer, Brian White, urged a sentence of no more than 10 years. He described him as “a promising online sensation, with four million followers.”
Assistant U.S. Attorney David Finn sought a sentence of 14 years. The probation department recommended a 150-month term.
Steen received credit for 1 1/2 years in prison he has served in the Metropolitan Correctional Center since his arrest in December 2018.
“One of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s goals is to put people responsible for drug deaths in federal prison,” said DEA Special Agent in charge John W. Callery.
“We will continue to aggressively pursue those who deal drugs and cause death in our community,” said Callery.
“The sheriff’s department will continue to conduct thorough and collaborative fentanyl death investigations, ensuring traffickers and dealers are held accountable for a crime that costs lives and negatively impacts the community as a whole,” said Sheriff’s narcotic and gang division Captain Dan Brislin.
The U.S. Attorney suggested that people who suffer from addiction could receive help at a Crisis line at (888) 724-7240.
