Concord: Man charged with murder in December fentanyl overdose

CONCORD — A Concord man has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the accidental overdose death of a man who ingested counterfeit painkiller pills that contained the deadly drug fentanyl, authorities say.

Fernando Gallaga, 27, was charged in December with murdering Jesus Soto-Garcia, 26, by giving Soto-Garcia fentanyl pills that appeared to be an opiate painkiller, according to court records. Gallaga has not yet entered a plea, and is next due in court on Jan. 10.

Authorities say that Soto-Garcia overdosed and died at Gallaga’s Concord home on Dec. 12.

Gallaga remains in jail in lieu of $1 million bail, records show.

Murder charges in accidental fentanyl overdose cases have become increasingly prevalent, as overdoses continue to dwarf the homicide rate statewide. Last August, a jury in Riverside County returned the first guilty verdict in California history involving a fentanyl overdose murder case.