A convicted felon from Los Angeles County must remain behind bars while awaiting trial on charges alleging he sold fentanyl to two people, leaving one of them dead and the other seriously injured, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.
Antjuan Doss, 34, also known as Giovani Dinero, pleaded not guilty in November in downtown Los Angeles to felony charges including distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
During a bail review hearing Wednesday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Rozella Oliver denied Doss' bid for release pending trial, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. An October trial date is scheduled.
Doss, whose last known residence was Harbor City, "knowingly and intentionally" distributed fentanyl on Aug. 13, 2022, to two victims -- identified in court documents by the initials M.N. and G.N., federal prosecutors allege.
The victims 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, 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 co-conspirator, using couriers, supplied Doss with fentanyl powder, pills containing the powerful synthetic opioid, and cocaine. Doss, acting at the co-conspirator's direction, then packaged and distributed to his own customers the fentanyl and cocaine that the co-conspirator provided him, according to prosecutors. Doss allegedly then remitted drug proceeds to the co- conspirator.
On Aug. 22, 2022, law enforcement served a search warrant at Doss' residence, including the bedroom he shared with a woman and their infant child. During the search, authorities found fentanyl in various locations, including on the floor, that were easily accessible by the child, according to court documents.
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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, it was alleged. He also illegally possessed seven rounds of ammunition, prosecutors said.
Doss is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his January 2016 conviction on 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, Doss would face a sentence of 25 years to life imprisonment, prosecutors noted.
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