By El Latino Newsroom
Charity Faith Wiley, a Reseda woman convicted in the fentanyl-related death of Devin Kastler, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison in what prosecutors described as Ventura County’s first fentanyl murder conviction.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced the sentence following Wiley’s guilty plea to second-degree murder and five additional felony charges related to drug possession and sales, firearm possession and money laundering.
Wiley, 40, pleaded guilty July 6, 2026. She also admitted several special allegations and aggravating factors, including that the crimes were carried out in a manner indicating planning, sophistication or professionalism.
“This is the first fentanyl murder conviction in Ventura County, marking an important step in holding drug dealers accountable when their actions result in the loss of life,” Nasarenko said.
Wiley was sentenced after prosecutors presented evidence connecting her to the drugs that caused Kastler’s death. Kastler died after overdosing on a lethal mixture of fentanyl and xylazine.
During the sentencing hearing, Kastler’s mother, father, aunt and a close friend delivered emotional victim impact statements. They described his life, the devastating effect of his death and the lasting impact his loss has had on his loved ones.
Kastler’s mother, Kristi Kastler, told the court that her son’s death permanently changed her life.
“When my child Devin died, my life did not simply change. The life I knew ended as well. There is a version of me who existed before and now a version of the person I have had to become,” she said.
She also addressed Wiley directly, saying the defendant knew the drugs she was selling were dangerous.
“Charity knew her drugs were dirty. She didn’t just sell Devin drugs, she sold him something that would ultimately take away his future,” Kastler said.
Investigation Traced Fatal Drugs to Wiley
The investigation began June 6, 2024, when the Ventura County Fentanyl and Overdose Crimes Units, known as VC FOCUS, responded to a residence in unincorporated Simi Valley following a reported overdose.
Investigators found drugs and drug paraphernalia in Kastler’s room. Toxicology testing later determined that he had a lethal amount of fentanyl and xylazine in his system.
As investigators followed the source of the drugs, VC FOCUS identified Wiley as the person who supplied them.
Wiley was arrested March 5, 2025, at her home in Los Angeles County by VC FOCUS investigators and officers from the Simi Valley Police Department.
During the investigation, authorities searched Wiley’s residence and a separate apartment that prosecutors said was being used as part of her narcotics sales operation.
Investigators ultimately seized more than 3 pounds of fentanyl, 1.5 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.6 pounds of counterfeit Xanax pills suspected of containing fentanyl.
Authorities also recovered prepackaged fentanyl, cocaine, heroin and additional methamphetamine.
More than $96,000 in cash was found, along with three firearms, two of which were loaded. Investigators also recovered numerous cellphones, stolen and fraudulent identification documents and extensive evidence allegedly connected to the drug operation.
That evidence included a drug sales business plan, hundreds of pay-owe sheets, a money counter and materials used to package narcotics.
The firearms were discovered in Wiley’s bedroom. A subsequent investigation determined that one of the firearms had been stolen and that Wiley had obtained it in exchange for drugs, according to prosecutors.
Investigators recovered narcotics and other evidence from Wiley’s residence, the separate drug apartment and storage locations.
Digital evidence obtained from Wiley’s cellphone also provided investigators with information about how her narcotics operation was allegedly conducted.
Messages Warned Drugs Were Killing People
Among the digital evidence were text messages between Wiley and an associate discussing “tranq-dope,” a term commonly used to describe fentanyl or other opioids mixed with xylazine.
According to prosecutors, Wiley’s associate told her that he refused to sell the drug because it was killing people. He also specifically said he would not sell “tranq-dope” to Kastler because he only “dabbles.”
Prosecutors said Wiley responded that they should not sell fentanyl to people who “dabble.”
Five days later, on June 5, 2024, prosecutors said Wiley sold “tranq-dope” to Kastler. He died after ingesting the drugs.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Audry Nafziger and Deputy District Attorney Devin Mirchi, members of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Major Crimes Narcotics Unit.
Nafziger said the evidence showed an unusually organized drug operation and a disregard for the potential consequences of selling fentanyl.
“After more than 30 years as a prosecutor, I have rarely encountered someone as organized and sophisticated as Wiley, coupled with such a disregard for human life,” Nafziger said.
“She was warned that the drugs were killing people and agreed not to sell to Devin. She did it anyway.”
Wiley’s case was investigated by VC FOCUS, a regional task force made up of Ventura County law enforcement agencies and federal partners.
The task force includes the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office, Simi Valley Police Department, Oxnard Police Department, Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and California Highway Patrol, along with federal law enforcement agencies.
VC FOCUS focuses on combating fentanyl-related crimes and opioid overdoses by targeting individuals and criminal organizations responsible for supplying dangerous drugs in Ventura County. The task force also works to identify emerging drug-use trends among young people and educate the public about the dangers of fentanyl.
Fentanyl is a highly addictive synthetic opioid that can be deadly. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is among the drugs most commonly associated with overdose deaths in the United States.
In 2025, the Ventura County Medical Examiner reported 216 overdose deaths. Fentanyl or a combination of fentanyl and other drugs was detected in 134 of those cases.
The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office said it will continue aggressively prosecuting people who sell, furnish or distribute fentanyl.
Residents seeking information about fentanyl’s dangers, addiction resources and locations where overdose rescue kits are available can visit ThinkAgainVC.com.
Wiley is now serving a sentence of 15 years to life in state prison following her conviction for second-degree murder and the additional felony offenses.
