2 Arrested For Trading Fentanyl​ For Stolen Property: Police

SANTEE, CA — Two Santee residents are accused of selling fentanyl to homeless people, sometimes in exchange for stolen merchandise, authorities said.

Jeremy Ketchum, 44, and his roommate, Samantha Ekiss, 32, were arrested Monday following a two-month investigation, according to the El Cajon Police Department.

During a search of their home and Ketchum's vehicles Monday, police found nearly a-half pound of fentanyl, a half-ounce of methamphetamine, hundreds of rounds of illegally possessed ammunition, suspected stolen property and several thousand dollars in cash, Lt. Will Guerin said. Police also searched Ketchum's storage unit and found nearly a quarter of a pound of fentanyl and suspected stolen property.

"The investigation found that Ketchum sold fentanyl to local homeless individuals and/or traded fentanyl for stolen property," Guerin said.

Ketchum was booked into San Diego County Central Jail on suspicion of drugs, weapons and theft offenses.

In February, Ekiss was arrested on suspicion of possessing fentanyl for sale and was released on bond. She was arrested again and booked into Las Colinas Detention and Reentry Facility on suspicion of possessing drugs for sale and shoplifting.

"The intersection of homelessness, drug abuse and retail theft continues to plague our communities," El Cajon Police Chief Mike Moulton said in a statement. "Once again, ineffective theft laws in California fail to hold thieves accountable, and misguided harm-reduction strategies simply exacerbate drug abuse."