A San Diego man has been slammed with an eight-year prison sentence for peddling the fentanyl that took the life of a local woman, officials said Monday. Derek Neal Turfler, 29, was accused of supplying the fatal dose that claimed the life of Faithe Sioban Thogode, who was 27 at the time of her death on May 9, 2022. According to court documents, Turfler knowingly sold the lethal pills that led to Thogode's overdose.
Following a plea agreement, Turfler admitted he arranged to meet and deliver the fentanyl to Thogode. The 27-year-old woman was going through a drug relapse and was attempting to recover at the time, despite having marked five years of sobriety. Sources indicate that Turfler, addicted to the drug himself, was fully aware of the deadly potential of fentanyl. Yet, he chose to quickly and dangerously supply her with it anyway, knowing the risks involved.
According to a statement obtained by the U.S. Attorney's Office, Turfler's criminal history with the substance dates back to prior incidents. He was on formal probation for a 2019 conviction related to driving under the influence of fentanyl, which resulted in great bodily harm.
U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath said, "Faithe Thogode is not a statistic. She was a loving daughter and a devoted friend to dozens of people who appeared in court today to show their lasting appreciation for her infectious laugh and kind heart." The U.S. Attorney's office, along with the DEA and the San Diego Overdose Response Team, which was formed in response to a spike in overdose deaths within the county, have worked together to thoroughly bring to justice dealers who fatally supply drugs like fentanyl.
DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge Paul Abosamra stated during proceedings, "Fentanyl kills and those who sell this lethal drug must be brought to justice." The relentless pursuit of those distributing death in pill form is part of the concerted efforts by law enforcement agencies to clamp down on illegal drug distribution.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick C. Swan, with Turfler facing a statutory maximum penalty of twenty years behind bars for the distribution of fentanyl, under Title 18 of the United States Code, Section 841(a)(1). However, the 97-month sentence handed down has solidified the government's position on dealing with the current drug epidemic and its deadliest substances.
