LOS ANGELES—A Los Angeles County man pleaded not guilty Nov. 22 to federal criminal charges alleging he sold fentanyl to two people—leaving one of them dead and the other seriously injured by the powerful synthetic opioid.
Antjuan Doss, 33, also known as Giovani Dinero, was arrested Nov. 21 and ordered jailed without bond Nov. 22, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Mr. Doss, whose last known residence was Harbor City, entered his plea in downtown Los Angeles to charges including distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
A Jan. 2 trial date was tentatively scheduled in the case.
According to the indictment, on Aug. 13, 2022, Mr. Doss “knowingly and intentionally” distributed fentanyl. Two victims—identified in court documents by the initials M.N. and G.N.—later ingested the fentanyl, the use of which resulted in serious bodily injury to M.N. and the death of G.N. On the same day, Mr. Doss also allegedly distributed 45 pills containing the drug, according to the indictment.
Prosecutors also contend that in the two weeks prior to the death of G.N., a coconspirator, using couriers, supplied Mr. Doss with fentanyl powder, pills containing fentanyl, and cocaine. Mr. Doss, acting at the coconspirator’s direction, then packaged and distributed to his own customers the fentanyl and cocaine that the coconspirator provided him. Mr. Doss allegedly then remitted drug proceeds to the coconspirator.
On Aug. 22, 2022, law enforcement served a search warrant at Mr. Doss’s residence, including the bedroom he shared with a woman and their infant child. During the search, law enforcement found fentanyl in various locations, including on the floor, that were easily accessible by the child, according to court documents.
Mr. Doss also allegedly possessed with intent to distribute about two pounds of fentanyl and illegally possessed a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, in furtherance of his drug dealing activities.
He also allegedly illegally possessed seven rounds of ammunition. Mr. Doss is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior conviction of his January 2016 conviction of two felonies—identity theft and using an access device without consent—in Los Angeles Superior Court, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
If convicted of all charges, Mr. Doss would face a sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment, prosecutors noted.
