California drug dealer acquitted of murder in teen's fentanyl death but convicted on drug charges

A California drug dealer was found not guilty of murder and involuntary manslaughter Thursday in the fentanyl-related death of a 17-year-old girl who died just two weeks before high school graduation.

Alan Jazeel Martinez, 25, was acquitted after a three-and-a-half-week trial over the death of Vintage High School senior Monica Flores, who was found dead at her Napa home on May 25, 2022, Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley announced.

Martinez was accused of selling Flores fentanyl-laced pills on May 10 and May 16, 2022, and possessing and transporting fentanyl for sale, prosecutors said.

Although acquitted in connection with her death, Martinez was convicted of six felony fentanyl offenses: two counts each of selling fentanyl to a minor, possessing it for sale and transporting it for sale.

The court also found that Martinez has a prior serious felony conviction that counts as a “strike” under California law.

“Monica’s family came to court seeking accountability for the loss of their daughter and loved one, and we know that no verdict can give them back what they have lost,” Deputy District Attorney Katie Gross said in a statement.

“Although we are disappointed that the jury did not find Martinez guilty of murder, we are grateful for the jury’s careful consideration of this case and respect its decision. The convictions for selling fentanyl to a minor and possessing and transporting fentanyl for sale are significant, and we hope they provide at least some measure of accountability for conduct that contributed to a devastating loss.”

Deputy District Attorney Diadur added in a separate statement: "The jury had an extraordinarily difficult task, and we respect its role in our justice system. Monica was a 17-year-old who should have had her whole life ahead of her. Our thoughts remain with Monica's friends and family."

Monica’s family remembered her on a GoFundMe page as someone who loved her family, horses, dogs and spending time outdoors. She was also known for ”her hard-to-miss pink car.”

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office charged Martinez and another man, Luis Fajardo Melgoza, with murder in 2023. Melgoza pleaded no contest to second-degree murder in 2024, according to court records cited by CBS News.

A third defendant, Erika Garcia Chavez, also pleaded no contest in 2024 to charges of possessing a controlled substance for sale and conspiracy.

The case marked the first time in Napa County that a person accused of supplying fentanyl was charged with murder over a fentanyl-related death, prosecutors said.

Martinez is scheduled to return to Napa County Superior Court for sentencing at 8:30 a.m. September 28.