Alleged drug dealer charged with murder after California man dies from fentanyl, cops said

A California drug dealer has been charged with murder after police say he sold a 21-year-old man fentanyl in May that led to an overdose death.

On May 28, the Modesto Police Department said a 21-year-old man died of a fentanyl overdose after using the drugs sold to him by 36-year-old Anthony Taft Lee.

According to The Modesto Bee, the mother of Connor Hoffman, 21, said he died after purchasing $10 worth of fentanyl from a man he met on Snapchat.

Fentanyl is an opioid that is often mixed with other drugs to enhance the effects, but a small dose can be deadly.

Lee was originally arrested on June 14 for selling fentanyl and has been in custody at the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center, police said.

After a lengthy investigation revealed Lee was responsible for selling the fentanyl to Hoffman, officials said Lee was rebooked on the new charge of murder on Dec. 3.

During his arraignment, Lee pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder, as well as possession for sale and sale of fentanyl tied to the death, The Modesto Bee reported.

His bail was set at $2 million, officials said.

The Modesto Police Department added, “Fentanyl has made illicit drug use more dangerous than ever, there is no better time to seek help for a drug addiction problem.”