CALIFORNIA—
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that a California man was sentenced, July 3, in federal court to 30 years in prison for selling fentanyl that killed two people within four months.
Jonathan Tyler Gauthier, 26, of San Diego, sold the fentanyl that killed 24-year-old Sam Guest in September 2022 and 27-year-old Jesse White in December 2022, according to court documents.
He continued selling fentanyl even after those deaths.
As part of his February 2025 plea agreement, Gauthier admitted that the fentanyl he distributed caused their deaths.
The defendant kept pushing poison for profit
U.S. District Judge Janis L. Sammartino said this is one of the most tragic cases she’s had in her courtroom in a long time.
“Even after two people lost their lives, the defendant kept pushing poison for profit,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon.
In its sentencing memo, the government said Gauthier knowingly sold deadly fentanyl, kept dealing after two fatal overdoses and had a long history of drug crimes, showing a clear disregard for human life.
Gordon goes on to say that this 30-year sentence sends a stark message: If you deal fentanyl and show no regard for the deadly consequences, you will be held fully accountable.
White had a heart of gold
Guest’s mother described him as kind and full of joy, remembered for his smile, laughter and warmth. Family, friends and coworkers deeply miss him.
White’s family remembered him as someone with a heart of gold. They said he had a passion for college football, a love of history, and a deep devotion to his family.
He died in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve. White had taken the week off from work to spend the holiday season with his loved ones.
In 2020, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 3,946 Californians died due to fentanyl overdose, according to the California attorney general.
DEA’s Overdose Response Team and Fentanyl Abatement and Suppression Team (FAST) led the investigation.
