3 Accused In Fentanyl Overdose Deaths Of Santa Rosa Dad, Baby Son

SANTA ROSA, CA — Federal authorities announced three arrests Wednesday in connection with the September deaths of a 29-year-old Santa Rosa man and his 13-month-old son. The baby, identified by police as Liam Oneill, was discovered dead Sept. 14 in a Santa Rosa home — lying lifeless on the floor of a back bedroom next to his unconscious father, Patrick Oneill.

Santa Rosa police said there was no indication of violence at the scene, but there were signs of recent drug use next to where the child and his dad were found. Emergency medical personnel tried resuscitating the child to no avail; the elder Oneill was rushed to a hospital where he later died.

Wednesday, the Northern California U.S. Attorney's Office announced their deaths were caused by fentanyl overdose and that three Santa Rosa residents have been charged for their suspected involvement in supplying the deadly fentanyl.

Leanna Zamora, 29, Lindsay Williams, 32, and Shane Cratty, 26, are all accused of having a role in the distribution of the fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that in this case was traced to the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, according to U.S. Attorney David L. Anderson and DEA Acting Special Agent in Charge William "Curt" Fallin.

Drug trafficking is considered a federal crime which is why the case will be tried at the federal level.

"This case involves fentanyl and a $125 drug transaction that led to the untimely deaths of a father and his 13-month old son," Fallin said. "The circumstances surrounding this investigation are arguably the most tragic we have seen. It not only serves as a reminder, but also underscores our commitment to do everything in our power to prevent these bold criminals from destroying any more lives."

Federal prosecutors accuse Cratty of driving Williams to meet with Zamora.

Zamora is accused of selling the fentanyl to Williams, and Williams is accused of giving the deadly drug to Cratty; while Cratty is accused of delivering the drug to the Patrick Oneill.

Late the night of Sept. 13, or early the next morning, the father and the baby ingested some of the drug and died, according to prosecutors.

The fentanyl that ultimately found its way to the Oneills was purchased by Zamora in the open-air drug markets of the "TL" in San Francisco, prosecutors believe.

Zamora, Williams and Cratty each are charged on suspicion of distribution of controlled substances.

If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

As of Wednesday, Zamora and Williams had been arrested in connection with the accusations and were being held at a state facility.

Cratty was taken into federal custody on a federal arrest warrant.

Their first court appearances have yet to be scheduled.

"The prosecution is the result of an investigation by the Santa Rosa Police Department, with assistance from the DEA," federal officials said.

According to court documents, investigators found two scraps of aluminum foil, a straw, a lighter, and a chunk of a white substance, among other things, on the floor just a couple of feet away from where the baby and his father were found.

The DEA tested the foil scraps, straw and chunk of white powder, prosecutors wrote. One foil tested positive for methamphetamine and fentanyl residue, the other tested positive for methamphetamine residue. The straw was negative for controlled substances, but the chunk of white powder was 0.218 grams of fentanyl, prosecutors said.

Santa Rosa police responded to the Oneill residence the morning of Sept. 14 after Patrick Oneill did not drop Liam off at his sister's house as was planned.

Santa Rosa police initially sought charges against Patrick Oneill, accusing him of murder in the death of his child, but Oneill died two days later while still hospitalized.

The Santa Rosa Police Department took possession of Oneill's cellphone; his text messages and his call log were ultimately how the fentanyl was traced to the defendants, according to court documents filed Wednesday in federal court.

"Unfortunately, the horrific effects of opioid addiction can be seen on many different levels throughout our community," the Santa Rosa Police Department said in a statement about the arrests.

Federal Court Complaint: Fentanyl Overdose Deaths, Santa Rosa, CA:

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• Death Of 13-Month-Old Baby Leads To Murder Arrest: Santa Rosa PD
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