Two people in San Diego County, California have been indicted for illegally selling fentanyl, resulting in the deaths of victims. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office announced on June 5th that the defendants are 59-year-old Sheri Cavanaugh and 31-year-old Micah Seau, both charged with murder and conspiracy.
Seau, a former American football player and the nephew of the late Junior Seau, a legendary player for the San Diego Chargers, was accused by prosecutors of long-term involvement in drug trafficking along with Cavanaugh.
Prosecutors alleged that Seau provided fentanyl pills to his friend, 31-year-old Connor Gerhart, leading to the victim’s death on June 1, 2023.
Seau initially purchased over $1200 worth of pills from Cavanaugh, then sold some to Gerhart for $700. Gerhart took some of the pills and died at home that night. His friend found him dead in his house.
Seau and Gerhart have been friends since childhood. Seau attended the prestigious private high school, The Bishop’s School, in La Jolla, while Gerhart went to another prestigious private high school, La Jolla Country Day School. They also played on the same football team.
After Gerhart’s death, Seau and Cavanaugh continued to communicate, discussing the purchase of more drugs.
San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan stated, “The defendants were well aware of the dangers of the illegal drugs they were selling, yet showed callous disregard for the overdose deaths of victims and continued to spread these drugs within our community.”
The District Attorney’s Office mentioned that there were approximately 800 fentanyl-related deaths each year in San Diego County in 2021 and 2022. Since 2017, they have brought murder charges related to fatal fentanyl sales against eight individuals. In 2021, there were 814 deaths in San Diego County due to fentanyl poisoning, compared to 88 deaths caused by gunshot wounds in the same year.
“Fentanyl killed more young people in our country last year than anything else,” Prosecutor Stephan said. “When someone knowingly sells a substance with extreme dangers like this and causes another person’s death from using it, that is murder.”
Seau and Cavanaugh were arrested at home on May 31. On June 4, they appeared in court for arraignment and pleaded not guilty. The hearing is set to begin on June 12. If convicted, they could face sentences ranging from a maximum of 15 years to life imprisonment.