Placer County DA issues first fentanyl-related murder charges

A Roseville man was arraigned Tuesday afternoon on charges related to the fentanyl death of another. Tuesday's arraignment is the first time a Placer County defendant has been charged with murder for a fentanyl-related death. According to Placer County Superior Court documents, Carson David Schewe, 20, of Roseville was charged with one felony count of murder on Dec. 3, one felony count of purchase/possession of a narcotic substance for sale on Dec. 21 and one felony count of purchase/possession of a narcotic substance for sale on Feb. 10. The deceased person wasn't identified during the proceeding. According to the Placer County District Attorney's Office, Schewe reportedly sold fentanyl to the decedent, which resulted in the victim's death. Schewe was arrested after the Roseville Police Department and Placer County Special Investigations Unit's investigation of fentanyl sales due to the increase of the substance and related deaths in the county. The Roseville Police Department reported Schewe was arrested Feb. 10 on charges of possession of narcotics for sale and transportation of controlled substances, as he was believed to be a source for providing fentanyl-laced drugs in the region. Detectives seized suspected fentanyl-laced pills, over $100,000 in cash and a ghost gun during the investigation. Roseville Police Department confirmed the investigation is ongoing and additional drug-related arrests may follow. Schewe was issued a no-bail amount and remains in custody at the South Placer County Jail. Schewe was appointed a public defender and the arraignment was continued to 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22 in the Placer County Superior Court Department 20 at the Santucci Justice Center in Roseville. Said Placer County District Attorney Morgan Gire in a written statement, "Placer County has been tragically affected by the national fentanyl epidemic. We are committed to combatting this crisis with continued education and awareness efforts, extensive prevention campaigns and aggressive prosecution of those who see to peddle this deadly drug in our community." The District Attorney's Office confirmed this case filing is one of many actions being taken to battle the rise in fentanyl deaths. Other efforts include public service announcements, participation in the nationwide "One pill can kill" campaign and working on statewide legislation.