Former US Marine From California Guilty in Fentanyl Death That Shattered Camp Pendleton
A US marine’s overdose exposes a California drug ring, landing key players in court and facing prison. 🌐 #News #OceansideCA #California #Crime
OCEANSIDE, CA – A tragic death, a deadly drug, and a California party that turned into a nightmare—this is the story of a former U.S. Marine who pleaded guilty after his involvement in the fentanyl overdose that killed a fellow marine. What began as a search for pills led to a devastating loss that shook the military community.
Guilty Plea and Sentencing Details
Anthony Ruben Whisenant, 24, admitted to using his cellphone to arrange a drug deal that led to the fatal overdose of his fellow marine, identified as “L.M.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California confirmed the plea. Whisenant now faces up to four years in prison, with sentencing set for May 7.
The Deadly Encounter: Fentanyl Disguised as Oxycodone
Court documents reveal that in May 2020, Whisenant was stationed at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California, as an active-duty lance corporal.
During this time, he sought out pills he believed were oxycodone for L.M. But the pills were laced with fentanyl—a powerful synthetic opioid often involved in overdose cases.
Whisenant made contact with the drug dealer, Gustavo Jaciel Solis, 28, through a Snapchat ad. L.M. drove Whisenant and another marine, 27-year-old Ryan Douglas White, to retrieve the pills from Solis.
After securing the drugs, the group headed to a party in Compton.
The Night of the Overdose
At the party, L.M. took the pills, not knowing they were laced with fentanyl. Tragically, he died soon after ingesting them.
As panic set in, Whisenant directed White to flush the remaining pills down a toilet before first responders arrived.
Drug Ring Unraveled: Multiple Arrests and Charges
Whisenant wasn’t the only one facing legal consequences.
Solis and two civilians—Jordan Nicholas McCormick, 29, of Palmdale, and Jessica Sarah Perez, 25, of Pacoima—were charged in connection to a drug ring. White faced charges as an accessory after the fact.
In April 2022, Solis pleaded guilty to participating in a drug trafficking conspiracy and distributing fentanyl resulting in death. His sentencing could bring life in prison, although a date has not yet been determined.
White also admitted guilt in December 2024. He pleaded guilty to misprision of a felony for knowing about the deadly drug transaction and attempting to obstruct the investigation. White could face up to three years behind bars, with sentencing scheduled for June 6.
Authorities Sound the Alarm on Fentanyl
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph McNally addressed the broader crisis, saying, “Fentanyl continues to claim the lives of too many in our community. Our office remains committed to holding accountable those responsible for circulating fentanyl and other dangerous substances in our district and threatening the health and safety of our residents.”
The legal outcomes in this case will determine the fates of those involved, reflecting the serious consequences of drug-related offenses.
RELATED TOPICS: California | Crime
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