Orange County Register: Tustin Teen’s Death Resulted in 15-Year Sentence for Fentanyl Dealer

A 24-year-old man from Santa Ana has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for trafficking fentanyl, resulting in the death of an 18-year-old woman from Tustin.

Isai Hernandez Higinio pleaded guilty on January 30th to the charge of possessing fentanyl with the intention to distribute.

According to prosecutors, Hernandez agreed to sell oxycodone pills to Adriana Davies in February 2021. However, these pills turned out to be counterfeit and contained fentanyl, leading to Davies’ death on February 5th, 2021. When investigators searched Hernandez’s residence, they discovered 23 counterfeit oxycodone pills containing fentanyl.

In a victim impact statement, Davies’ father revealed that his daughter had been involved in a traffic accident five years prior and had received treatment for back pain with physical therapy and oxycontin. He wrote, “Although she generally recovered from the accident, she did not completely recover from a dependence on the painkiller.”

On the morning of her overdose, Davies’ mother tried to wake her but was unsuccessful. Her father described the horrifying experience of calling 911, administering CPR, and ultimately being told by paramedics that nothing could be done. It was a devastating blow for the family.

Davies was known for her kindness, talent, and ability to bring people together. Her mother expressed the profound sense of loss their family has experienced and how the pain lingers every day since February 5th, 2021.

In a letter to the victim’s parents, Hernandez apologized for his role in her death. He admitted to his carelessness, bad decisions, and personal negligence. While he claimed not to know the pills contained fentanyl, he acknowledged being aware that they were counterfeit and had warned Davies about it. He expressed deep remorse and recognized that he could never truly make up for what he had taken from the family.

Hernandez also wrote a letter to U.S. District Judge David O. Carter, describing the path that led him from being a good student to becoming involved in drug dealing. He explained the challenges he faced when his family moved from Mexico to Santa Ana when he was 5 years old. Despite initially excelling academically, Hernandez began smoking marijuana in the ninth grade and started displaying rebellious behavior in the following years.

Eventually, Hernandez crossed paths with a drug dealer who introduced him to the world of narcotics. He described the allure of this lifestyle, where he no longer felt poor and could afford luxuries like expensive clothing and fine dining. However, as he started getting into trouble with the law, his friend ended their relationship.

In addition to the federal charges, Hernandez is also facing charges in state court for the statutory rape of a 14-year-old girl in Irvine. The state court records indicate that he had been in federal custody as a fugitive for these charges.

Federal prosecutors, who recommended a 15-year prison sentence, highlighted Hernandez’s troubling arrest history, which included sexual assault, reckless drug and alcohol use, reckless driving under the influence, and a lack of respect for law enforcement.

Hernandez shared that following a breakup with a girlfriend, he dropped out of school and was kicked out by his parents. He turned to drug dealing to make a living, alongside legitimate jobs. However, he expressed a desire to turn his life around while in custody by obtaining his GED and taking college courses. He also hoped to one day settle down, become a husband, and a father, aiming to provide the same love, security, and family values his parents had given him.