By Redaccion
[email protected]
District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced today that on December 26, 2023, Jason Quinn (DOB 09/22/75), of Ventura, was convicted by a jury of two felony drug possession counts.
One for possession of fentanyl for sale and one for possession of methamphetamine for sale. He was also found guilty of driving on a suspended or revoked license. The court found true the special allegation that Quinn was on probation when the crime was committed.
On May 2, 2023, Ventura Police Department officers, as part of the Ventura County Fentanyl Overdose and Crimes Units (VC FOCUS), conducted a traffic stop on Quinn for a suspended license and outstanding warrant. A K9 alerted officers to narcotics in the vehicle. Quinn, who is already on probation, was transported to his residence for a probation search. Detectives located two half-ounce bindles of fentanyl, six grams of methamphetamine, 47 grams of methamphetamine with THC, and drug sales paraphernalia such as a large scale and packaging materials. Text messages regarding drug sales were on his phone along with a large amount of cash in his wallet.
Quinn is on probation and pending sentencing on a 2021 case where he pled guilty on March 15, 2023, to one count of possessing fentanyl for sale and was given the Dangerous Drug Advisement. The advisement warns convicted defendants of the dangers of fentanyl and informs them they could be charged with murder if they sell drugs laced with fentanyl to someone and that person dies as a result of ingesting it.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Ethel Hernandez, a member of the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office Narcotics Unit, prosecuted the case.
“The Dangerous Drug Advisement is something that our office takes very seriously, and offenders should as well,” Hernandez said. “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. We will prosecute those, such as Mr. Quinn, who continue to sell fentanyl and other illegal drugs to the fullest extent of the law.”
Quinn is scheduled to be sentenced on February 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in courtroom 46 of the Ventura County Superior Court. He remains in custody with bail set at $50,000.
Fentanyl is a highly addictive and often deadly synthetic drug. It is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. Fentanyl is one of the most common drugs associated with overdose deaths in the United States.
In 2022, the Ventura County Medical Examiner reported 278 overdose deaths. Fentanyl was found in the system of 181 of the overdose victims. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office will seek to aggressively prosecute those that sell, furnish, or distribute fentanyl.
The public is urged to learn more about the dangers of fentanyl, how to find resources for people struggling with addiction, and where to get overdose rescue kits. This information can be found at https://www.vcdistrictattorney.com/crimes/fentanyl-dangers/.
Case: 2023010736
Defendant Information:
Jason Quinn (DOB 09/22/75)
Ventura
Charges:
HS 11351 – Possession for sale of a controlled substance (fentanyl)
HS 11378 – Possession for sale of a controlled substance (methamphetamine)
VC 14501.1(a) – Driving with privilege suspended or revoked
Special Allegations
CRC 4.421(b)(4) – Defendant was on probation at the time the crime was committed
