WOODLAND HILLS—Trent Michael Tomasovich, 28, was arrested on Tuesday, July 23 and arraigned in federal court on Wednesday, July 24 for the deaths of a man and woman who suffered fentanyl overdoses at a Woodland Hills residence, the United States Attorney’s Office indicated in a press release.
The Sherman Oaks resident was apprehended by the Los Angeles Police Department and is currently in federal custody. Tomasovich pleaded not guilty to one felony count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and his trial will be scheduled for a later date.
He allegedly sold fentanyl to a 24-year-old woman who brought it to her friend’s apartment in Woodland Hills. She died on July 14, 2018 after being found unresponsive.
Hours following her death, the resident’s boyfriend found the fentanyl, according to court documents. The 38-year-old consumed the drug, ignoring his girl friend’s request to throw it away and suffered a fatal overdose.
The narcotics-trafficking charge in the indictment carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a potential sentence of life without parole.
“The two overdose deaths alleged in this case are a stark reminder that the explosion of fentanyl trafficking is causing death and misery across the nation,” said United States Attorney Nick Hanna. “People who deal in fentanyl should be on notice that federal authorities are aggressively investigating deaths linked to illegal opioids, and we can seek stiff federal mandatory minimum prison sentences for dealers who sell narcotics that cause fatal overdoses.”
“The HIDTA Fusion Task Force will continue to aggressively target those who prey upon our community and dump lethal drugs onto our streets,” said DEA Deputy Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “The men and women of the DEA, as well as our federal, state and local counterparts, take seriously our commitment to stand up for victims of the opioid epidemic who can no longer speak for themselves.”
Tomasovich’s affidavit states, in 2017, he was identified as a heroin delivery service customer following wiretapped calls with another federal investigation. He was also arrested for drug trafficking following a Craigslist post offering the sale of heroin.
Written By Tameara Lewis and Donald Roberts
