Reporting Deputy: Sergeant Ryan Marcuse
File # CM220270003
Details:
On January 27, 2022, about 10:19 AM, Cabazon Sheriff’s Station deputies assigned to the city of Calimesa were dispatched to a call of an unresponsive male adult in the 10000 block of Desert Lawn Drive, city of Calimesa. Upon deputies’ arrival, it was determined a 36-year-old male adult was deceased. Through extensive investigation by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Overdose Death Investigations and Narcotics Unit, it was determined the decedent, Eric Lopez, was a victim of homicide due to a Fentanyl poisoning.
The investigation was continuously worked over the next several months and a suspect, Gregory Oviatt, a 30-year-old resident of Redlands, was determined to be the one responsible for selling the Fentanyl that killed Lopez. On March 20, 2022, Oviatt was located and taken into custody without incident and booked for murder. This investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is encouraged to contact Master Investigator Cornett at 951-955-1700. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department wants to remind citizens of the dangers of illicit narcotics many which may contain Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 100 times stronger than morphine and can cause death or serious bodily harm.
For media inquiries regarding this incident please contact the Media Information Bureau.
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