FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The district attorney announced that a woman was sentenced to prison in the first-ever fentanyl murder conviction case.
25-year-old Cassidy Marie Gonzalez was sentenced to 15 years to life in state prison for second-degree murder in the fentanyl overdose death of 41-year-old Jade Dreith.
Gonzalez also received an additional four years and four months for a separate felony narcotics sales conviction.
The judge imposed the sentence after a jury convicted Gonzalez on all counts on March 26, 2025.
This case marks Fresno County’s first fentanyl-related homicide case to result in a jury conviction and sentencing.
Evidence presented at trial showed Gonzalez knowingly sold fentanyl, leading to Dreith’s fatal overdose.
Prosecutors demonstrated that Gonzalez was aware of the dangers of fentanyl but continued to distribute it.
[RELATED] Cracking down on fentanyl abuse in Fresno County
After Dreith’s death, Gonzalez continued selling counterfeit prescription M-30s containing fentanyl, showing a disregard for public safety.
Comment with Bubbles
JOIN THE CONVERSATION (1)
The jury found Gonzalez acted with conscious disregard for human life, meeting the legal standard for second-degree murder under California law.