By SDCN Editor
El Cajon, CA–A comprehensive two-month investigation by the El Cajon Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit has revealed an illicit operation involving the exchange of fentanyl for stolen merchandise among homeless residents, authorities said.
The investigation culminated in the arrests of two individuals, 44-year-old Jeremy Ketchum of Santee, and 32-year-old Samantha Ekiss.
According to the El Cajon Police Department, detectives discovered Ekiss residing with Ketchum during the investigation. She has a history with law enforcement, having been arrested on February 3 for possession of fentanyl for sale and booked into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility before being released on bond.
On May 13, a search warrant was obtained to search Ketchum, his residence, and his vehicles. Detectives observed Ketchum in El Cajon, where he was seen interacting with several homeless individuals in a known narcotics activity area. Ketchum was apprehended and found in possession of fentanyl, along with other evidence suggesting the intent to sell the drug.
Following his arrest, detectives executed the search warrant at Ketchum’s home, detaining Ekiss. The search yielded nearly half a pound of fentanyl, thousands of dollars in cash, half an ounce of methamphetamine, hundreds of rounds of illegally possessed ammunition, and several thousand dollars in suspected stolen property. Ekiss was arrested and booked again into the Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility.
Further investigation led detectives to a storage unit maintained by Ketchum, where they discovered nearly a quarter-pound of fentanyl and additional stolen property valued at several thousand dollars. Evidence suggested that he was involved in selling fentanyl to local homeless individuals or trading it for stolen goods. Ketchum was booked into the San Diego County Central Jail on multiple felony charges, including possession of fentanyl and methamphetamine for sale, illegal possession of ammunition, and theft of merchandise with intent to sell.
Chief of Police Mike Moulton addressed the situation in a released statement.
“The intersection of homelessness, drug abuse, and retail theft continues to plague our communities. Ineffective theft laws in California fail to hold thieves accountable, and misguided ‘harm-reduction’ strategies exacerbate drug abuse. This is another instance in which Prop 47 has failed our communities and must be addressed.”
