A federal grand jury has indicted Timothy Austin Pannell, 32, from South Lake Tahoe, on charges of distributing fentanyl that resulted in death. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith.
Court documents detail that on February 12, 2024, the South Lake Tahoe Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting multiple overdoses at a local residence. Upon arrival, first responders found four individuals deceased and a fifth who survived the overdose.
The indictment alleges that two of the deceased men had met with Pannell, also known as "Frog," after a Super Bowl party. The meeting took place in a church parking lot in South Lake Tahoe where Pannell allegedly sold them fentanyl under the guise of cocaine. These men then returned to their residence and shared the substance with three others.
The investigation into this case involved collaboration between the FBI, South Lake Tahoe Police Department, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, and El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney James Conolly is handling the prosecution.
Pannell remains in federal custody awaiting trial. If convicted, he faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in prison and could receive up to life imprisonment along with a $1 million fine. Sentencing would be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines. It is important to note that these charges are allegations and Pannell is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.