Drug Dealer Faces Trial in Ventura County’s Landmark Fentanyl Case

(Thechieftainspear) – A 56-year-old Oxnard man accused of selling a lethal dose of fentanyl to a gas station worker will stand trial in Ventura County’s first fentanyl-related murder case, prosecutors announced Thursday.

Rodney Rey Yanez faces second-degree murder charges in connection with the overdose death of Dylan Rusch, a gas station employee who was found unresponsive in a restroom on September 20, 2023.

Court Proceedings and Charges

Following a four-day preliminary hearing, where 16 witnesses testified—including law enforcement narcotics experts and a firefighter paramedic—a judge determined there was sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.

Along with the murder charge, Yanez is facing nine felony drug-related charges and four misdemeanors, linked to allegations of drug sales and possession over a 14-month period before Rusch’s death.

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Overdose and Investigation

Authorities say Rusch unknowingly consumed a fatal amount of fentanyl after allegedly purchasing the drug from Yanez at a gas station in Oxnard. Despite emergency responders’ efforts, Rusch was pronounced dead at the scene. Toxicology reports confirmed that fentanyl toxicity was the cause of death.

Yanez was arrested by Oxnard police on July 24, 2024, and remains in Ventura County Main Jail with bail set at $1 million.

Prosecutors Push Forward

Prosecutor Audry Nafziger expressed confidence in the case, stating:

“We believe the evidence presented is compelling and strongly supports the judge’s decision. We are ready to present this case before a jury.”

Yanez is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on April 10.