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Fentanyl, Methamphetamine, Ammo, and Stolen Merchandise ConfiscatedEast County News Service
May 17, 2024 (El Cajon) -- A two-month-long investigation by the El Cajon Police Department Special Investigations Unit uncovered an operation that involved selling fentanyl to homeless residents in exchange for stolen merchandise. The investigation ended in two arrests, says Lieutenant Will Guerin, including 44-year-old Jeremy Ketchum of Santee.
During the investigation, detectives learned that a 32-year-old woman, Samantha Ekiss, was living with Ketchum. Records checks of Ekiss revealed that El Cajon Police officers had previously arrested her on February 3, after she was found to be in possession of fentanyl for sale and booked into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility, where she was released on bond.
On May 13, detectives obtained a search warrant authorizing search of Ketchum, his home, and his vehicles. Later that morning, detectives spotted Ketchum driving in El Cajon and followed him. Ketchum was seen meeting with several homeless individuals in an area known for narcotics activity.
Ketchum was stopped and found to be in possession of fentanyl. There was other evidence indicating the fentanyl was intended for sale, says Lt. Guerin. Detectives then served the search warrant on Ketchum’s home and detained Ekiss inside.
During the search, nearly one-half pound of fentanyl, several thousand dollars of cash, one-half ounce of methamphetamine, hundreds of rounds of illegally possessed ammunition, and several thousand dollars in suspected stolen property were located. Ekiss was arrested and again booked into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility.
Detectives then searched a storage unit that Ketchum maintained and found nearly one-quarter of a pound of fentanyl and several thousand more dollars’ worth of stolen property.
The investigation found that Ketchum sold fentanyl to local homeless individuals and/or traded fentanyl for stolen property.
Ketchum was booked into San Diego County Central Jail for several felonies, including possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine for sale, illegal possession of ammunition, and theft of merchandise with the intent to sell.
“The intersection of homelessness, drug abuse, and retail theft continues to plague our communities,” said Chief of Police Mike Moulton. “Once again, ineffective theft laws in California fail to hold thieves accountable, and misguided “harm-reduction” strategies simply exacerbate drug abuse. This is another instance in which Prop 47 has failed our communities and must be addressed.”
Prop 47, passed by California voters in 2014, reduced penalties for some crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. That includes shoplifting or grand theft of items valued at $950 or less, as well as receiving stolen property under that amount, and several other crimes.
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