Harbor Area Man Arraigned on Federal Indictment Alleging He Knowingly Sold Fentanyl to Two Victims, One of Whom Later Died

LOS ANGELES – A Los Angeles Harbor region man was arraigned today on criminal charges alleging he is a drug dealer who knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl to two victims – one of whom died, and the other was seriously injured by the powerful synthetic opioid.

Antjuan Stephone Doss, 33, a.k.a. “Giovani Dinero,” whose last known residence was Harbor City, charged by a federal grand jury in a six-count indictment returned on November 15 and unsealed today. Doss was arrested on Tuesday and a federal magistrate judge today ordered him jailed without bond.

At his arraignment this afternoon in United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles, Doss pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and a January 2, 2024 trial date was scheduled in this case.

Doss is charged with one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death and serious bodily injury, one count of distribution of fentanyl, one count of conspiracy to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.

According to the indictment, on August 13, 2022, Doss knowingly and intentionally distributed fentanyl. Two victims – identified in court documents as “M.N.” and “G.N.” – 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 knowingly and intentionally distributed 45 pills containing this powerful drug, according to the indictment.

The indictment further alleges that, from August 9 to August 22, 2022, a co-conspirator, using couriers, supplied Doss with fentanyl powder, pills containing fentanyl, 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 the indictment. Doss allegedly then remitted drug proceeds to the co-conspirator.

On August 22, 2022, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Doss’s residence, including the bedroom that he shared with a woman and their infant child. During the search, law enforcement found in Doss’s bedroom fentanyl in various locations, including on the floor, that were easily accessible by the child, according to court documents.

Doss also allegedly possessed with intent to distribute approximately 1 kilogram of fentanyl and illegally possessed a firearm, namely a 9mm semi-automatic pistol, in furtherance of his drug trafficking activities. He also allegedly illegally possessed seven rounds of ammunition. Doss is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition because of his prior conviction of his January 2016 conviction of two felonies – identity theft and using an access device without consent – in Los Angeles Superior Court.

An indictment contains allegations that a defendant has committed a crime. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.

If convicted of all charges, Doss would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The Drug Enforcement Administration and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department investigated this matter.

Assistant United States Attorneys Brittney M. Harris, of the International Narcotics, Money Laundering, and Racketeering Section and J’me K. Forrest of the General Crimes Section are prosecuting this case.