A Ventura man, Jason Quinn, has been convicted for dealing dangerous drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, authorities said Wednesday. In a clampdown on drug sales, Quinn was nabbed by officers from the Ventura County Fentanyl Overdose and Crimes Units (VC FOCUS) following a traffic stop for a suspended license and outstanding warrant earlier this year.
According to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, Quinn was convicted by a jury on two felony counts: possession of fentanyl for sale and possession of methamphetamine for sale. The man was also found guilty of driving on a suspended or revoked license. To add to his troubles, the court found that Quinn committed these crimes while on probation, increasing the potential gravity of sentencing. The District Attorney stated, "We will prosecute those, such as Mr. Quinn, who continue to sell fentanyl and other illegal drugs to the fullest extent of the law."
During the traffic stop on May 2, a trained K9 unit alerted officers to narcotics in Quinn’s vehicle leading to a search of his residence. Detectives discovered a stash of illegal substances, including two half-ounce bindles of fentanyl and grams of methamphetamine, along with drug sales paraphernalia. Texts on his phone and cash in his wallet pointed to sales activities, painting a clear picture of Quinn's involvement in the drug trade, as mentioned in the district attorney’s announcement.
The public is pressed to educate themselves on the dangers of fentanyl. Senior Deputy District Attorney Ethel Hernandez emphasized the life-threatening nature of the drug: "Even though the amount of drugs in this case were on the lower end for sales, it only takes a few grains of fentanyl to be deadly." Resources for addiction and overdose rescue kits information can be found on the District Attorney's website.
Jason Quinn is set to face sentencing on February 15, 2024. Until then, bail remains set at $50,000, and Quinn will stay behind bars.
