Three North Bay Defendants Charged In Fentanyl Overdose Death Case

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Attorney’s Office has charged Leanna Zamora, Lindsay Williams, and Shane Cratty with distribution of fentanyl, announced United States Attorney David L. Anderson and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Acting Special Agent in Charge William “Curt” Fallin.  The charges were made in a complaint filed today.  

The complaint, described by U.S. Attorney Anderson in a press conference today, describes how Zamora, 29, Williams, 32, and Cratty, 26, all from Santa Rosa, each are alleged to have played a role in supplying the fentanyl that resulted in the death of a 13-month-old boy and his father in Santa Rosa.  

“Drug dealers sometimes justify themselves by claiming that their conduct is ‘harmless’ or ‘victimless,’” said U.S. Attorney Anderson.  “As this case demonstrates, these claims are false.  The dark reality for many opioid drug users is that their lives are short and miserable, and their deaths are horrible.  Street drugs are not ‘medicine,’ and drug dealers are not ‘doctors.’  The day-to-day work of a drug dealer consists of pushing his victim-customers into a downward spiral of dependency and despair.”  

“This case involves fentanyl and a $125 drug transaction that led to the untimely deaths of a father and his 13-month old son,” stated Acting Special Agent in Charge Fallin. “The circumstances surrounding this investigation are arguably the most tragic we have seen.  It not only serves as a reminder, but also underscores our commitment to do everything in our power to prevent these bold criminals from destroying any more lives.”

According to the complaint, Cratty drove Williams to meet with Zamora.  Zamora sold the fentanyl to Williams, and Williams gave it to Cratty.  Cratty then delivered it to the baby’s father.  Late that night or early the next morning, the father and the baby ingested some of the drug and died.  According to the complaint, the fentanyl that ultimately found its way to the victims’ house was obtained by Zamora in the open-air drug markets of the Tenderloin in San Francisco.

Zamora, Williams, and Cratty each are charged with distribution of controlled substances, in violation of 21 U.S.C. §§ 841(a)(1) and (b)(1)(C).  If convicted, the defendants face a maximum statutory penalty of up to 20 years in prison.  A term of supervised release, fines, forfeitures, and restitution also may be ordered, however, any sentence following conviction would be imposed by the court only after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal statute governing the imposition of a sentence, 18 U.S.C. § 3553.  

The complaint contains allegations only and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  

Zamora and Williams are in state custody.  Shane Cratty is in custody on a federal arrest warrant.  Appearances for the defendants in federal court have not yet been scheduled.     

The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Santa Rosa Police Department, with assistance from the DEA.