San Jose man charged with murder after girl fatally overdoses on fake pills
(Photo: Stock / Unsplash / Dmitry Bayer)
A San Jose man has been charged with murder after a teenager overdosed on fake opioid pills he’d allegedly sold her, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office.
The victim, an 18-year-old girl from Santa Clara whose name has not been released, and her 17-year-old boyfriend are believed to have purchased the pills from 22-year-old Anthony Minjares on April 5, under the impression that they were buying Percocet.
However, the pills actually contained fentanyl rather than oxycodone, the former being so deadly that even a few grains can be enough to cause a fatal overdose.
That same evening, both ended up overdosing. Firefighters found them in an upstairs bedroom and were fortunately able to resuscitate the boyfriend with a dose of Naloxone.
Unfortunately, the girl did not survive.
Authorities soon caught up with Minjares on April 9, taking him into custody and seizing drugs, paraphernalia, and cash.
Prosecutors believe Minjares knew how dangerous the pills were when he advertised and sold them. He has been charged with murder as well as multiple narcotic-related felonies, and faces life in prison if found guilty.
