Fentanyl overdose kills young adult who ingested counterfeit oxycodone pills
SAN FRANCISCO – The United States Attorney’s Office charged Gage Pascoe with the distribution of pills containing fentanyl that resulted in the overdose death of his customer, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The federal complaint alleges that Pascoe, 22, of Pittsburg, California, sold counterfeit pills that appeared to be Oxycodone but instead contained the lethal drug fentanyl. The young adult customer purchased the pills from Pascoe and shortly after taking the apparent Oxycodone pills at a Walnut Creek home died from an overdose of fentanyl.
“This sad, tragic death shows how easy it is to die from drugs bought from drug dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Anderson. “Counterfeit pills marked and sold as one drug, such as Oxycodone pills with “M30” stamps, commonly contain fentanyl instead. Even a tiny amount of fentanyl is deadly. Drug buyers must be aware that pills bought from drug dealers may be laced with fentanyl. Drug dealers should know we vigorously prosecute those who sell drugs that cause fentanyl overdoses.”
“Fentanyl is cheap, man-made and potent. Overdose can occur in the smallest amount and in this case it left a family with unimaginable loss,” stated DEA Special Agent in Charge Daniel C. Comeaux. “We will pursue those who distribute this deadly drug and continue to seek justice for those lives that have been lost.”
The complaint charging Pascoe describes how he was a repeat dealer of illegal drugs to the victim. The complaint outlines that Pascoe communicated in the days before the death through a series of text messages with the victim, who he knew from attending the same high school, to sell Oxycodone to the victim. The texts, outlined in the complaint, show that Pascoe offered “more oxy” to his victim customer and they eventually met up in Pittsburg at night for Pascoe to sell the purported Oxycodone pills to the victim. The next day, June 17, 2020, the victim was found dead at a Walnut Creek home. The complaint describes how the victim’s father found pills in the victim’s room with “M30” stamped on them, which is a common stamp on counterfeit Oxycodone pills containing fentanyl. A lab analysis found those pills to contain fentanyl. As the complaint further describes, an analysis of the victim’s body showed the victim died from a fatal fentanyl overdose.
Pascoe was arrested on Saturday, December 5, 2020, and made an initial appearance today in San Francisco federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler. Pascoe is currently being held in custody pending further proceedings. He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing before United States Magistrate Laurel Beeler on December 14, 2020, at 10:30 am.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are mere allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Pascoe is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death or great physical injury, in violation of 21 U.S.C. § 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C). If convicted of this count, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a mandatory minimum of 20 years in prison, and a maximum fine of $1,000,000. However, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.
The case is being prosecuted by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of California. The investigation of this case was conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Concord Police Department, and the Walnut Creek Police Department.
This investigation and prosecution is part of OCDETF, which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level drug traffickers, money launderers, gangs, and transnational criminal organizations that threaten the United States by using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach that leverages the strengths of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies against criminal networks.
Read the criminal complaint, here.
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By Jimmy Lee, Director of Public Affairs, Contra Costa County, Office of the Sheriff
Detectives from the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff and arson investigators from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District (CON Fire) are investigating a suspicious death that occurred in a fire.
At about 4:45 this morning, deputy sheriffs were requested by CON Fire to assist with traffic control at a house fire on the 1800 block of Giaramita Street in North Richmond.
Deputies learned that an unresponsive man in the home was earlier transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.
The person is identified as 23-year-old Virillio Patino-Cruz of North Richmond. An autopsy into the cause of death is scheduled for tomorrow.
Anyone with any information on this incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division at (925) 313-2600 or through Sheriff’s Office dispatch at (925) 646-2441. For any tips, email: tips@so.cccounty.us or call (866) 846-3592 to leave an anonymous voice message.
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As part of his commitment to transparency around the construction of the new veterans’ healthcare facility, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) will host a virtual veterans town hall to update the community on the progress of the project and to discuss the pressing issues facing our nation’s veterans.
On Thursday, December 10th, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM, Congressman McNerney will be joined by representatives from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to take questions and listen to concerns from constituents.
Join Online:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88948595816?pwd=SGZzOS9EUXZnWUU4ZkNza3ZaUWNtdz09
Passcode: 148324
Join by Phone:
(312) 626-6799
Webinar ID: 889 4859 5816
Passcode: 148324
Additionally, constituents can submit a question in advance of the event here.
Since coming to Congress, Congressman McNerney has led the efforts for the development of the French Camp facility – from working with federal and local officials on selection of the building site to securing the funding for construction. He has pushed to expedite the project, sending several letters to authorities, meeting regularly with VA and Corps officials, and urging that ongoing correspondence and updates be made available to his office and the public. This project hit a major milestone in November of 2019 when Congressman McNerney attended the groundbreaking ceremony of this facility.
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The Environmental Justice Community Survey launched by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) closes this Friday, December 11th. The survey takes just a few minutes and is intended to gather perspectives from community members who live or work in the Stockton, Sacramento, and Antioch region and the small towns in between. Your input is crucial to identifying the potential impacts and benefits of the proposed Delta tunnel known as the Conveyance Project.
Don’t wait – if you haven’t already, take the survey today – and share with others in the Delta region!
Click here to TAKE THE SURVEY TODAY! |
About the Survey
Through the “Your Delta, Your Voice” survey, DWR is specifically aiming to engage those who live or work in the Delta region and are often not adequately represented in public processes by seeking direct input from low income residents and workers, people of color, limited English speakers, Tribal members and other underrepresented communities.
They survey has two primary goals. One is to accurately reflect how the members of a variety of Delta communities value the region’s cultural, recreational and natural resources, through a series of questions and a map that allows people to identify places that are special to them. The other is to seek input about ways the project may cause impacts to these resources or potentially bring benefits to Delta communities.
Spread the Word
Please help spread the word about the survey by forwarding this email to those in your network so the voices of the Delta’s diverse communities can be heard.
You can also share the survey on social media using the following links:
Share on Facebook: English | Español | 中文
Share on Twitter: English | Español | 中文
An event to connect constituents with free skills-training programs
By Nikki Cannon, Communications Director
As COVID-19 has changed many aspects of Americans lives, including career trajectories and prospects, Congressman Jerry McNerney (CA-09) has announced a collaborative event with the software company Salesforce to help his constituents learn in-demand skills and expand employment opportunities.
The workshop, entitled Skill Up for the Future with Trailhead, will take place on Wednesday, December 9th, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, using the Salesforce learning platform, Trailhead.
Join Online:
https://trailhead.salesforce.com/live/broadcasts/a2r3k000001n2SR/trailhead-tour-stockton
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Grants increase access to health care, improve economic security and address mental health and wellness
By Kerri Leedy, PR and Media Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente Northern California
WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Dec. 7, 2020 – To address the health needs of the community, Kaiser Permanente in the Diablo Area has awarded $1.1 million in grants focused on increasing access to health care and coverage, improving economic security and addressing mental health and wellness.
The Kaiser Permanente funding to 28 non-profit organizations will help low-income, at-risk communities in Central and East Contra Costa County, and the Tri-Valley area of Alameda County.
The 28 grants are aligned with Kaiser Permanente’s mission of improving the health of our members and the communities we serve. Kaiser Permanente recognizes that many factors impact health including social, economic and environmental conditions in the community. Through support of local non-profit organizations, Kaiser Permanente is working toward improving health for all.
“Our communities are facing significant and unprecedented challenges,” said Marty Ardron, Senior Vice President and Area Manager for Kaiser Permanente’s Diablo Service Area. “These organizations are committed to helping by providing vital health and mental health care, housing, and food assistance. We are proud to support them.”
The following nonprofit organizations received support from Kaiser Permanente:
Increasing Access to Care:
Axis Community Health | Supporting Complex Patients with Case Management Services |
Brighter Beginnings | Increasing Access to Healthcare in Antioch |
Contra Costa County | COVID-19 Ambassadors Project |
District Council Contra Costa County Society of St. Vincent de Paul | RotaCare Pittsburg Free Medical Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul |
La Clinica de La Raza, Inc. | Connecting Families to Health Care |
Planned Parenthood: Shasta Diablo Inc., DBA Planned Parenthood Northern California (PPNC) | Promotores: Increasing Access to Health Care |
RotaCare Bay Area | Provision of Healthcare to Contra Costa County’s Uninsured Population |
Improving Economic Security:
Alameda County Community Food Bank | Farm Fresh Produce Program |
Contra Costa Crisis Center | Thrive Local Contra Costa: Follow up services for homeless 211 callers |
Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano | Food Distribution in Contra Costa County |
FRESH APPROACH | Access to Nutritious Foods in East Contra Costa County |
Hope Solutions (formerly Contra Costa Interfaith Transitional Housing, Inc.) | Key steps: Path to Permanent Housing and Healing |
Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa | Nourishing Lives Through Food |
Monument Crisis Center | Ingredients for a Healthy 2020-21 |
Open Heart Kitchen of Livermore Inc | Hot Meals Program |
Opportunity Junction, Inc. | Administrative Careers Training to Improve Economic Security for Low Income Adults |
SHELTER, Inc. | Supporting the Behavioral Health of Homeless Families |
Trinity Center Walnut Creek | Youth Wellness Advocacy |
Addressing Mental Health and Wellness:
Family Justice Center of Contra Costa | Thrive Local Contra Costa |
Antioch Unified School District | Mental Health & Wellness Initiative |
Counseling Options & Parent Education, (C.O.P.E.) | Road to Recovery |
Fred Finch Youth Center | Contra Costa County School Based Services |
Lincoln | Trauma-Informed Care |
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District | Parent Outreach Coordinator |
Mindful Life Project | Countering ACE’s with Innovative Mindfulness Programming in East Contra Costa County |
Monument Impact | Mentes Positivas En Acción |
Rainbow Community Center of Contra Costa | Educating the ARC of ACEs within out LGBTQ+ Communities through and Intersectional Lens |
Rubicon Programs Inc. | Wellness, Work, and Mobility |
About Kaiser Permanente
For 75 years, Kaiser Permanente has been committed to shaping the future of health and health care — and helping our members, patients and communities experience more healthy years. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Since July 21, 1945, Kaiser Permanente’s mission has been to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. http://about.kaiserpermanente.org.
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Prior to the stay-at-home order issued by the governor, earlier this year, Italian tenor Pasquale Esposito was supposed to perform live at Antioch’s historic, El Campanil Theatre. Instead, as you stay at home, again this time, you can watch one of his concerts, tonight on PBS’s KQED SF channel 9, tonight at 9:30 p.m.
Pasquale takes the audience on a musical journey from Teatro Politeama in Naples, Italy sharing songs and stories that have influenced his life and music career.
Don’t miss this opportunity to support KQED and take home one of many gifts including the full DVD and Double CD of the IL Tempo program. If you donate at any level of support, you will also get VIP access to Pasquale’s Valentine Virtual Concert on February 14, 2021. Click HERE to watch the show live streamed at 9:30 p.m.
Read MoreBy Dave Mason, Public Information Supervisor, East Bay Regional Park District
Effective 6:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6, 2020, all campgrounds, outdoor museums (visitor centers), and children’s playgrounds at East Bay Regional Park District locations will be closed until further notice as mandated by the six Bay Area county regional health officers’ order announced yesterday.
Facility Closures Include:
- Ardenwood Historic Farm
- Regional Parks Botanic Garden
- Regional Park visitor centers remain closed, including Black Diamond, Big Break, Coyote Hills, Crab Cove, Sunol and Tilden
Campgrounds Closures Include:
- Del Valle Regional Park (Livermore)
- Anthony Chabot Regional Park (Oakland)
- Robert Sibley Regional Preserve Backpack Campground (Oakland)
Future camp reservations through made through January 4 will be cancelled, including for the Sibley backpack camp, and customers will receive full refunds.
Outdoor activity is encouraged by health officials during the new Regional Stay Home Order. The Park District reminds visitors that spending time in nature is important for mental and physical health and wellbeing. To keep yourselves and Park District staff safe when visiting regional parks and trails, please wear masks when within six feet of others and recreate responsibly. Please keep parks safe for everyone by following all COVID-19 safety requirements.
The California sector closures and restrictions on activity under the State’s Regional Stay Home Order are described here.
Read MoreBy Matt Lardner, Census Outreach Coordinator, Contra Costa County
Contra Costa County achieved the third highest Census 2020 self-response rate of all California counties with a rate of 77.4% for the once-a-decade count of all residents. The County’s self-response rate also surpassed its Census 2010 rate of 72.1% by more than five points or a 7.4% increase.
The County’s Census 2020 self-response rate outperformed the country’s 67% and the state’s 69.6% self-response rates. Nearly all of the cities in the County surpassed their 2010 rates, and those that did not were within 1% of doing so. See response rates by city in Contra Costa County in this Census 2020 report.
Contra Costa County’s Complete Count Steering Committee and 67 community based organizations collaborated on the Census 2020 count. The County’s high response rate is owed in large part to the work of cities, agency and community partners, and trusted messengers who helped reach Contra Costa residents, including hard-to-count populations.
“Our success in Contra Costa County could not have happened without the strong partnerships with our local non-profits and community based organizations,” said District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis, Chair of the Complete Count Committee. “We have built lasting relationships and capacity that will be mutually beneficial as we collaborate on outreach in all aspects of our work.”
“Thanks to all of the residents who responded to the Census. You have guaranteed that Contra Costa County will receive its fair share of representation and much-needed funding for critical programs and infrastructure for the next decade,” said District 2 Supervisor and Board Chair Candace Andersen, Vice-Chair of the Complete Count Committee.
Now the U.S. Census Bureau will prepare the data to present to the President on December 31, 2020. The redistricting process will begin in Spring 2021.
Information about Contra Costa County’s Census 2020 outreach and impact are available at www.cococensus.org.
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By Matt Malone, Public Information Officer, Superior Court of California, Contra Costa County
COVID-19 cases have spiked, resulting in a new stay-at-home order for the county effective this weekend. To limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission, the Court will enact a LIMITED COURT CLOSURE effective Monday, December 7, 2020, and until further notice.
THE COURT WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. Exceptions are criminal preliminary hearing witnesses, attorneys, and defendants in matters with time not waived. Masks are required for entry.
JURY TRIALS ARE SUSPENDED. Criminal preliminary hearings with time not waived will proceed.
JURY SERVICE. Jurors summonsed to report on or before January 11, 2021: Your service has been completed. You do not need to call or report for jury duty.
THE COURT WILL NOTIFY YOU OF RESET HEARINGS. If your matter is to be reset, the Court will notify you of the new date, with hearings to be by Zoom or CourtCall. Instructions and links for Zoom/CourtCall, public access to audio streaming where available, and court calendars may be found on our Court Calendar webpage.
ALL CLERK’S OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC. FILINGS WILL BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL OR DROP BOX ONLY. The limited closure is NOT a Court holiday for filing deadlines. Drop boxes will be available from 8 A.M. – 4 P.M at the following locations:
Civil: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez. o Criminal: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
- Family: Main entrance of Family Law building in Martinez.
- Juvenile: Main entrance of the Walnut Creek Courthouse.
- Probate: Main Street entrance of the Wakefield Taylor Courthouse in Martinez.
- Pittsburg and Richmond courthouses: These drop boxes are available only for filings in case types heard at those locations.
ALL COURT RECORDS OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED. See the Criminal Records and Civil Records webpages for the process for records requests by mail.
This public health situation is urgent and constantly changing. Accordingly, the Court anticipates further press releases providing more details on Court operations over the next 30-60 days. Please visit the Court website for updated information.
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