Placer County DA files murder charges against alleged fentanyl dealer

The Placer County District Attorney has filed murder charges against an alleged Sacramento fentanyl dealer. The charges were filed yesterday against 34-year-old James Teahan in connection with a fentanyl death. The Placer County District Attorney's office says this is the fifth murder charge filed by their office in response to a fentanyl poisoning that resulted in death. The arrest of Teahan was made after an investigation into a fentanyl-related death which occurred in April of this year. The investigation was a partnership between the Placer County Sheriff's Office, with its newly created Opioid Response Team, and the Placer DA's Special Prosecution Unit. Teahan appeared in court yesterday and was arraigned; his next hearing will be August 27 at the Placer County Superior Court in Roseville in Department 20. In the meantime the defendant will be held at the Placer County jail without bail. The Placer Opioid Response Team was founded in April of 2024, the same month that this case took place, according to the Placer County DA. Sheriff Woo and the Board of Supervisors expedited the creation of this team as fentanyl poisonings continue to rise in Placer County. Placer County officials say the team is here to combat the opioid epidemic by holding dealers accountable.