Overdose Death Leads to Homicide Arrest

On April 29, 2022, Santa Barbara Police Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of State Street for a report of a found body. The deceased 30-year-old male was discovered with narcotics and drug paraphernalia in his possession. The cause of death was determined to be acute fentanyl intoxication.

Over the course of several months, Santa Barbara Police Detectives and the Santa Barbara County District Attorney Investigators investigated this death. Detectives learned during their investigation Dillon James Joseph Johnson, a 34-year-old Santa Barbara resident was identified as the suspect that had distributed the decedent the fentanyl that caused his death.

A Santa Barbara County Superior Court Judge authorized a search warrant associated with this case. It is believed that Johnson directly supplied the deadly drug to the decedent that caused his death.

After months of investigation, On September 1, 2022, Santa Barbara Police Detectives served the warrant and arrested Johnson in the 7100 block of Hollister Avenue, Goleta. A search after his arrest revealed quantities of fentanyl and other narcotics that constitute possession with the intent to distribute.

Johnson was booked at the Santa Barbara County Jail for murder, and numerous felony narcotic violations. His bail was set at $1,000,000. The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office has filed charges against Johnson and his arraignment is scheduled for today in Department 8 of the Santa Barbara Superior Court.