Placer County Secures 5th Fentanyl Murder Conviction
AUBURN, CA — “On June 15, 2026, the Placer County Superior Court’s Honorable Judge Horst sentenced James Scott Teahan Jr., 35, to 15 years to life in state prison, plus an additional six years, for the murder of local resident Stephan Windham.
On April 24, 2024, Placer County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported fentanyl poisoning at a residence in Placer County. The victim was transported to a local hospital but later died from the toxic effects of fentanyl. Investigators determined that Teahan had supplied the victim with the fentanyl that ultimately caused his death.
The investigation revealed that Teahan was actively engaged in narcotics sales and possessed substantial quantities of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine, along with a loaded firearm. Digital evidence further demonstrated an ongoing narcotics trafficking operation involving multiple dangerous controlled substances.
Perhaps most troubling, investigators found that the defendant was well aware of the deadly nature of fentanyl. During the investigation, Teahan acknowledged that fentanyl was a “drug that kills” and that “one hit can kill,” he further discussed having witnessed numerous overdose deaths among people he knew. Despite this knowledge, he continued distributing the drug.
The victim’s death left a family devastated. In a statement to probation, the victim’s mother described the profound impact of the loss, noting that her son left behind two children and that the tragedy had completely upended her family’s life.
At sentencing, the Court imposed a sentence of 15 years to life for murder, along with an additional six years for related narcotics offenses. The sentence reflects the seriousness of supplying a deadly drug that results in the loss of human life and the defendant’s continued involvement in narcotics trafficking despite a lengthy criminal history.
The sentencing occurred before a full courtroom of supporters for the victim and his family. Among those in attendance were members of the Placer County DA’s Empower + Resilience Project, a survivor-led peer support group that includes angel parents who have lost children to fentanyl, domestic violence homicide, and other acts of violence.
This case was prosecuted by Senior DDA Devan Portillo of the Placer County District Attorney’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit with investigative support from the Placer County Sheriff’s Office. The victim’s family received support from the offices esteemed Victim Services Unit. This is the first murder charge investigated by the Placer County Sheriff’s Opioid Response Team. The team was founded in April of 2024, the same month this case occurred. Sheriff Woo and the Board of Supervisors expedited the creation of this team as fentanyl poisonings continued to rise in Placer County. The Placer Opioid Response team is here to combat the opioid epidemic by holding dealers accountable.
This marks the fifth fentanyl murder conviction secured by the Placer County District Attorney’s Office.”
