Santa Ana, Ca. (May 18, 2021): Orange County Sheriff’s investigators arrested a 26-year-old man as part of a larger Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) investigation targeting drug dealers selling or providing opioids to individuals who suffered drug-related deaths.
Jason Amin Soheili, 26, of Laguna Hills, was arrested Wednesday, May 12, as part of the Overdose Justice Task Force, a multi-agency effort to address opioid-related deaths in the Los Angeles area, including in Orange County. The United States Attorney’s Office announced Thursday, May 13, the filing of 11 cases against 12 defendants, including Soheili.
In July 2020, Sheriff’s investigators discovered Soheili advertising drugs for sale through a popular social media app. After several weeks of investigation, a search warrant was issued for Soheili’s residence. Investigators seized items indicating illegal drug activity, including various drugs, weapons and U.S. currency. Soheili was arrested on August 12, 2020. He posted bond on August 13, 2020.
In November 2020, investigators discovered Soheili was again advertising drugs for sale on social media. A second search warrant was executed, resulting in the seizure of additional drugs and firearms. Soheili was again arrested on November 20, 2020. He posted bond the same day.
In March 2021, the Sheriff’s Department was contacted regarding the death of an individual in a drug rehabilitation program in Utah. The victim, who had moved to Utah from Orange County to participate in the program, received a parcel containing fentanyl.
The package was recovered with Soheili’s fingerprints at the victim’s residence. Soheili was arrested and charged in Federal Court with distribution of narcotics resulting in death. He is being held without bond and is expected to be arraigned June 1, 2021.
If convicted, Soheili faces a mandatory minimum 20-year sentence and a potential maximum sentence of life without parole in federal prison.
“Earlier this year, I met with families who lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning and heard firsthand how this dangerous drug has affected our community.” said Don Barnes, Sheriff-Coroner. “In partnership with local, state and federal agencies, we will continue attacking this epidemic on all fronts to hold accountable those who supply illegal narcotics.”
The DEA’s Overdose Justice Task Force was formed in 2018 and commissioned with proactively targeting drug traffickers who distribute opioids, including fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. For the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s full release visit: U.S. DOJ Press Release.
