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OC Sheriff assists federal authorities in arrest of alleged drug dealer providing opioids that led to a drug-related death

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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.

Check Twice for Motorcycles: May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 14, 2021): May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Sheriff’s Department reminds drivers to check twice for motorcycles.

During May’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, the Sheriff’s Department will conduct traffic safety enforcement in areas frequented by motorcyclists.  

Motorcycle riders are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than vehicle occupants. In 2019, there were 474 motorcycle deaths on California roads.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind while driving or riding:

Drivers

•           Always check twice for motorcycles, looking at all mirrors and blind spots.

•           Motorcycle riders have the same rights to the road as other vehicles. Allow motorcycles to always use the full width of a lane.

•           Never follow a motorcycle too closely. Always keep a safe distance.

•           If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful. The rider may have forgotten to turn the signal off. Be sure that the rider is turning before proceeding.

Motorcyclists

•           Always wear a DOT compliant helmet. Learn how to identify a safe helmet that fits on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website.

•           Wear appropriate gear like leather clothing, boots with nonskid soles and gloves. Consider adding reflective tape to your clothing to make it easier for other drivers to see you.

•           Ride defensively. Don’t assume a driver can see you. Try staying out of a driver’s blind spot.

•           Always keep your lights on, even during the day.

•           Signal well in advance before changing lanes and watch for turning vehicles.

Lastly, both drivers and riders should never drive/ride under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

May is Bicycle Safety Month: Share the Road and “Go Safely”

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SANTA ANA, Ca. (May 13, 2021): May is National Bicycle Safety Month, and the Sheriff’s Department is encouraging drivers to slow down when passing bicyclists, and asks bicyclists to be visible, predictable, and safe on the road.

The Sheriff's Department suggests the following safety tips for bicyclists and drivers:

Drivers

•           Slow down. Give at least three to five feet of space when passing a bike.

•           Wait for a safe place to pass when driving behind a bike, especially on narrow roads. California law requires drivers to provide at least three feet of space between a vehicle and bicycle.

•           If making a right turn, assume a bicyclist is traveling through the intersection unless they signal otherwise.

•           When making a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists just as you would for other drivers.

•           Look for cyclists before opening a car door.

•           Never drive distracted or impaired.

Bike Riders

•           Be predictable, safe, and seen: obey traffic laws, use hand signals, use lights at night (front white light and rear red reflector), and wear a helmet.

•           Bicyclists must travel in the same direction of traffic and have the same requirements as any slow-moving vehicle.

•           Avoid the door zone: do not ride too closely to parked cars.

•           If there’s a bike lane, use it, unless making a left turn, passing, or approaching a place where a right turn is allowed.

•           Yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists must yield the right-of-way to pedestrians within marked crosswalks or within unmarked crosswalks at intersections.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

19-059 Sustained Dishonesty

In May , 2019, an Investigator was found to be dishonest in the performance of duty.  The District Attorney filed criminal charges and the Investigator pled guilty to three misdemeanors.  The Investigator resigned prior to termination proceedings.

https://cpraazlrshotprod1.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/cpraprod1/Mediazip/SF-Dishonesty/Sustained%20Finding%20of%20Dishonesty.19-059.zip

Please note that due to the size of the files, and depending on download speeds, it could take several minutes for the files to open.

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