SACRAMENTO, CA - An investigation recently published by the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office revealed that during a 2023 incident, an on-duty Deputy narrowly survived an overdose of fentanyl he had previously experienced.
The dramatic internal investigation uncovered by The Los Angeles Times shows that the 2023 incident created alarm within the SCSO when the Deputy collapsed after he was “exposed” to the lethal narcotic fentanyl.
The event was so traumatic according to the 468-page internal report that the spokesman who informed the press and several deputies who witnessed the near-fatal incident turned to therapy to cope.
The Times reported that Deputy Marvin Morales was found by his colleagues in an unresponsive state on the floor of a sheriff’s station bathroom with drug paraphernalia in his uniform pocket. Speaking with investigators after his recovery Morales told them that he had deliberately ingested the fentanyl “with the intent to commit suicide,” claiming to be suffering from depression.
The investigation went on to reveal that Morales had issues with using seized drugs in the past, having done so on two prior occasions in August when he had cited individuals for possession of drug paraphernalia and then subsequently lied about disposing of them.
During the October 24th incident that nearly claimed his life, Morales had performed a “suspicious subject stop” at 5:40 p.m. per the Times and recovered a tinfoil bundle of methamphetamine from his suspect.
The report confirmed later that this was identified as fentanyl. Approximately three hours after the stop, Morales, while on duty, armed and in full uniform, entered the station lobby and then went into the restroom.
Investigators report that he smoked some of the methamphetamine at that time using a glass pipe which was “obtained at some point during the course of his duties and a torch lighter that had been in his patrol vehicle.”
Within a matter of minutes, Morales was found unconscious on the floor of the restroom with the pipe and burned residue of methamphetamine nearby.
Responding officers treated him for an overdose with Narcan and he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he survived the ordeal.
Morales later told investigators that after the August incident, he took the glass pipe and smoked it "three or four times to give him energy he needed to write in-custody reports.”
A toxicology report of Morales' blood and hair revealed that his drug use was in fact chronic according to the Times. He was informed that an internal investigation had recommended his termination on January 4, 2024, and he resigned on February 2. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training confirmed that he also voluntarily surrendered his peace officer certification in March 2024.
The dramatic internal investigation uncovered by The Los Angeles Times shows that the 2023 incident created alarm within the SCSO when the Deputy collapsed after he was “exposed” to the lethal narcotic fentanyl.
The event was so traumatic according to the 468-page internal report that the spokesman who informed the press and several deputies who witnessed the near-fatal incident turned to therapy to cope.
The Times reported that Deputy Marvin Morales was found by his colleagues in an unresponsive state on the floor of a sheriff’s station bathroom with drug paraphernalia in his uniform pocket. Speaking with investigators after his recovery Morales told them that he had deliberately ingested the fentanyl “with the intent to commit suicide,” claiming to be suffering from depression.
The investigation went on to reveal that Morales had issues with using seized drugs in the past, having done so on two prior occasions in August when he had cited individuals for possession of drug paraphernalia and then subsequently lied about disposing of them.
During the October 24th incident that nearly claimed his life, Morales had performed a “suspicious subject stop” at 5:40 p.m. per the Times and recovered a tinfoil bundle of methamphetamine from his suspect.
The report confirmed later that this was identified as fentanyl. Approximately three hours after the stop, Morales, while on duty, armed and in full uniform, entered the station lobby and then went into the restroom.
Investigators report that he smoked some of the methamphetamine at that time using a glass pipe which was “obtained at some point during the course of his duties and a torch lighter that had been in his patrol vehicle.”
Within a matter of minutes, Morales was found unconscious on the floor of the restroom with the pipe and burned residue of methamphetamine nearby.
Deputy Overdoses on Fentanyl After Smoking Seized Drugs at Sheriff's Station
— Police Incidents (@PoliceIncident) March 4, 2025
On October 2023, Sacramento County Sheriff's Deputy Marvin Morales was found unresponsive in a restroom at the Central Division office. Fellow deputies administered Narcan, an opioid reversal drug, and… pic.twitter.com/3BXTAZYZSU
Responding officers treated him for an overdose with Narcan and he was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, where he survived the ordeal.
Morales later told investigators that after the August incident, he took the glass pipe and smoked it "three or four times to give him energy he needed to write in-custody reports.”
A toxicology report of Morales' blood and hair revealed that his drug use was in fact chronic according to the Times. He was informed that an internal investigation had recommended his termination on January 4, 2024, and he resigned on February 2. The California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training confirmed that he also voluntarily surrendered his peace officer certification in March 2024.
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2025-03-10T21:24-0400 | Comment by: Bruce
Should have fired him first.