Jason Amin Soheili, a 28-year-old man from Laguna Hills in Orange County, was sentenced to 240 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death in 2022. Often, defendants are convinced to plead guilty to protect themselves from potentially receiving the maximum sentence. However, when defendants are robbed of the right to defend themselves fully, they lose the opportunity to challenge the evidence or weaknesses in the prosecution's case. All defendants deserve a comprehensive defense, no matter the accusations or alleged evidence presented.

Case Overview: Unveiling the Facts

In early 2021, Soheili began texting with the Utah-based victim, “J.N.” He offered to ship J.N. a package containing fentanyl pills. The package contained at least two counterfeit oxycodone pills laced with fentanyl. After the package arrived in Utah, J.N. took at least one of the pills and died of a fentanyl overdose.

A short while later, Soheili began texting with the second victim, “J.M.,” about selling them cocaine and Xanax. They met that night at a 7-Eleven, and J.M. followed Soheili home to take the narcotics he'd bought from Soheili. Soon after, J.M. died of acute fentanyl, Xanax, and cocaine intoxication.

How An Aggressive Defense Attorney Can Help

Under the 6th Amendment, all defendants have specific due process rights, including having the right to confront their accusers and working with an attorney. When defendants are instructed to take a plea deal, it infringes on their due process right to defend themselves. In this case, Soheili pleaded guilty and was given the minimum sentence for the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death. But what if he had chosen to defend himself in a trial? A competent attorney may have been able to have the charges lessened and the sentence shortened or thrown out altogether.

Attorney Vitaly Sigal of Sigal Law Group is an experienced and aggressive defense attorney who understands how confusing these proceedings can be. Call 818-325-0570 today for a free consultation.