Drug Charges Filed Against San Pedro Man In Fatal Overdose

SAN PEDRO, CA — A San Pedro man is facing federal charges in connection with the fatal overdose of another person in 2023, the United States Attorney's Office, Central District of California announced Thursday.

Michael Hoskinds, 46, faces one count of distribution of fentanyl resulting in death, according to federal prosecutors.

Federal prosecutors say Hoskinds gave fentanyl to another person on Aug. 12, 2023. The person, only identified in court documents as "B.F.," took the drug, overdosed and died, according to authorities.

Hoskinds was indicted by a grand jury in January and taken into custody on April 8, according to federal prosecutors.

Hoskinds, who is being held without bail, has since pleaded not guilty to the federal charge, according to federal prosecutors.

If convicted, he could be sentenced anywhere from 20 years to life in federal prison, according to authorities. His trial is expected to begin on June 3.

The charges against the 46-year-old come amidst a crackdown on fentanyl by federal authorities and task forces.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were more than 80,000 drug overdose deaths in the United States in 2024. Most of those deaths were fentanyl related, according to the CDC.

The United States Attorney's Office said that so far this year, it has filed 20 cases against people suspected of selling fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pills that resulted in the death of at least one person.

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