Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Jury Finds That Fresno Man Killed Two by Providing Fentanyl
Bill McEwen updated website photo 2024
By Bill McEwen, News Director
Published 5 years ago on
January 27, 2020

Share

A federal jury has convicted a Fresno man for causing the deaths of two people, including the mother of his children, by providing them with fentanyl, a synthetic opioid.
In a case attracting nationwide attention, the jury on Friday convicted Darnell Pearson, 41, on two counts of distributing fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury.


Listen to this article:

Portrait of McGregor Scott, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of California
“These two deaths were the first reported fentanyl overdose deaths in Fresno and in Madera. As they demonstrate, fentanyl is extremely dangerous and is a serious public health threat in our area and the nation as a whole. Even trace amounts of this drug can be lethal, and it poses serious risks to those who come into contact with it, including first responders.” — U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott

Customers Thought It Was Cocaine

“This defendant sold what his customers thought was cocaine that was, in fact, fentanyl and caused the deaths of two people and serious injury to two others,” U.S. Attorney McGregor W. Scott said in a statement released Monday.
“These two deaths were the first reported fentanyl overdose deaths in Fresno and in Madera. As they demonstrate, fentanyl is extremely dangerous and is a serious public health threat in our area and the nation as a whole. Even trace amounts of this drug can be lethal, and it poses serious risks to those who come into contact with it, including first responders.”
On Jan. 7, 2019, ambulances rushed three people who said they’d snorted cocaine to Community Regional Medical Center in downtown Fresno. One reportedly was in cardiac arrest and died three days later. The other two survived after receiving the opioid overdose antidote naloxone.

Mother of Pearson’s Children Died in Madera

That same day, according to court documents, the mother of Pearson’s children was found by family members on the floor of her bathroom in Madera. Officers and paramedics were unable to revive her and she died that evening.
“Fentanyl is man-made and potent in the smallest amounts. A few grains of the substance can lead to overdose, and we are increasingly seeing it sold as other illicit drugs,” said DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux in a statement. “I applaud the collaborative efforts and good old fashioned police work that led to the successful prosecution of this investigation.”

Pearson Scheduled for Sentencing in May

The Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations teamed with the Fresno and Madera police departments on the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Laurel Montoya and Michael Tierney are the prosecutors.
Pearson is scheduled for sentencing on May 8. He faces up to life in prison.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Severe Weather Leaves at Least 23 Dead, Including 14 in Storm-Battered Kentucky

DON'T MISS

Trump Says He Will Call Putin, Then Zelenskyy, on Monday to Push for Ukraine Ceasefire

DON'T MISS

‘Eat the Tariffs!’: Trump Warns Walmart Not to Pass Costs to Customers

DON'T MISS

Biden Audio Release Pressures Democrats Who Would Rather Talk About Trump

DON'T MISS

Musician Charged With Chris Brown in Alleged London Nightclub Assault

DON'T MISS

Student Loans Have Been Confusing Lately. Here’s a Guide to Know Where You Stand

DON'T MISS

Trump Admin Lifts Ban on Controversial Rapid-Fire Gun Triggers

DON'T MISS

PGA Championship Gets Storms and a Late Start

DON'T MISS

Easily Distracted? How to Improve Your Attention Span

DON'T MISS

Bernie Sanders and AOC are Popular With Democrats. Here’s a Timeline of Their Alliance

UP NEXT

Student Loans Have Been Confusing Lately. Here’s a Guide to Know Where You Stand

UP NEXT

Bernie Sanders and AOC are Popular With Democrats. Here’s a Timeline of Their Alliance

UP NEXT

Rescue Saves Fearful Terrier Mix From Euthanasia at Local Shelter

UP NEXT

9 National Parks With Scenic Bike Trails Perfect for Kids and Parents

UP NEXT

Big Fresno Fair Announces First Five Shows in Its Concert Lineup

UP NEXT

Two Killed in Fresno County Crash Are Identified

UP NEXT

Fresno Leaders Oppose Parole for Convicted Serial ‘Tower Rapist’

UP NEXT

US Cable Giants Charter and Cox Pursue $34.5 Billion Merger

UP NEXT

Nickey Stane Pleads Guilty to 1996 Fresno Murder of Debbie Dorian

UP NEXT

Despite Budget Woes, Gov. Newsom Wants More Tax Credits for Hollywood

Bill McEwen,
News Director
Bill McEwen is news director and columnist for GV Wire. He joined GV Wire in August 2017 after 37 years at The Fresno Bee. With The Bee, he served as Opinion Editor, City Hall reporter, Metro columnist, sports columnist and sports editor through the years. His work has been frequently honored by the California Newspapers Publishers Association, including authoring first-place editorials in 2015 and 2016. Bill and his wife, Karen, are proud parents of two adult sons, and they have two grandsons. You can contact Bill at 559-492-4031 or at Send an Email

Biden Audio Release Pressures Democrats Who Would Rather Talk About Trump

2 hours ago

Musician Charged With Chris Brown in Alleged London Nightclub Assault

3 hours ago

Student Loans Have Been Confusing Lately. Here’s a Guide to Know Where You Stand

3 hours ago

Trump Admin Lifts Ban on Controversial Rapid-Fire Gun Triggers

3 hours ago

PGA Championship Gets Storms and a Late Start

3 hours ago

Easily Distracted? How to Improve Your Attention Span

3 hours ago

Bernie Sanders and AOC are Popular With Democrats. Here’s a Timeline of Their Alliance

4 hours ago

Rescue Saves Fearful Terrier Mix From Euthanasia at Local Shelter

4 hours ago

9 National Parks With Scenic Bike Trails Perfect for Kids and Parents

5 hours ago

NASA Office Above ‘Seinfeld’ Diner Is a Target of Trump Budget Shrinkage

5 hours ago

Severe Weather Leaves at Least 23 Dead, Including 14 in Storm-Battered Kentucky

LONDON, Ky. — Storm systems sweeping across parts of the U.S. Midwest and South have left at least 23 people dead, many of them in Kentucky,...

13 minutes ago

13 minutes ago

Severe Weather Leaves at Least 23 Dead, Including 14 in Storm-Battered Kentucky

58 minutes ago

Trump Says He Will Call Putin, Then Zelenskyy, on Monday to Push for Ukraine Ceasefire

2 hours ago

‘Eat the Tariffs!’: Trump Warns Walmart Not to Pass Costs to Customers

2 hours ago

Biden Audio Release Pressures Democrats Who Would Rather Talk About Trump

3 hours ago

Musician Charged With Chris Brown in Alleged London Nightclub Assault

3 hours ago

Student Loans Have Been Confusing Lately. Here’s a Guide to Know Where You Stand

3 hours ago

Trump Admin Lifts Ban on Controversial Rapid-Fire Gun Triggers

3 hours ago

PGA Championship Gets Storms and a Late Start

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend