OAKLAND – Ozymandias Troy Watson appeared today in United States District Court to face a federal charge that he possessed with intent distribute fentanyl in the form of counterfeit “M30” pills, announced United States Attorney Stephanie M. Hinds and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge Bob P. Beris. Watson made his initial appearance today in United States District Court in Oakland before United States Magistrate Judge Donna M. Ryu.
The charge was set out in a criminal complaint filed February 10, 2023, and unsealed in federal court today. According to the criminal complaint, Watson, 18, of Contra Costa County, possessed numerous fentanyl “M30” pills and intended to distribute them. The complaint describes a drug transaction where “M30 pills,” that are alleged to have been provided by Watson, were sold to an individual who subsequently died of an overdose. The complaint alleges that Watson possessed approximately 130 “M30” fentanyl tablets.
In sum, the complaint charges Watson with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl in violation of 21 U.S.C. 841(a)(1), (b)(1)(C). The statutory maximum for the charge is a maximum 20 years’ imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, a maximum of 3 years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment. However, any sentence following a conviction would be imposed by a court only after considerations of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statue governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. 3553.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are only allegations. As in any criminal case, the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kenneth Chambers of the Oakland Branch of the United States Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case with the assistance of Leeya Kekona. The prosecution is the result of an investigation by DEA and the Dublin Police Department.
One Pill Can Kill: Beware of pills bought on the street: One Pill Can Kill. Fentanyl, a Schedule II controlled substance, is a highly potent opiate that can be diluted with cutting agents to create counterfeit pills that purport to mimic the effects of Oxycodone, Percocet, and other drugs, but can be obtained at a lower cost. However, very small variations in the amount or quality of fentanyl create huge effects on the potency of the counterfeit pills and can easily cause death. Fentanyl has now become the leading cause of drug overdose deaths in the United States. Counterfeit, fentanyl-laced pills are usually shaped and colored to resemble pills that are sold legitimately at pharmacies.
