(Image Credit: IMAGN)
Sacramento, CA – A Sacramento County sheriff’s deputy survived a fentanyl overdose in 2023 after ingesting drugs he had seized during an arrest, according to a recently released internal investigation.
Deputy Marvin Morales was found unconscious in a sheriff’s station bathroom on October 24, 2023. Initially, officials suspected he had collapsed from “exposure” to fentanyl, prompting alarm and leading some deputies to seek therapy. However, the internal report revealed that Morales had intentionally ingested the drug.
The investigation found that Morales had seized a tinfoil bundle containing fentanyl during a “suspicious subject stop” earlier that day. Later, while on duty and in uniform, he entered the sheriff’s Central Division Station and smoked some of the seized fentanyl using a glass pipe he had acquired.
Another deputy discovered Morales unresponsive on the bathroom floor, with a glass pipe containing burned residue nearby. Responding officers administered Narcan, and Morales was transported to a hospital where he recovered.
The investigation also uncovered that Morales had previously used seized drugs. On two separate occasions in August, he falsely reported disposing of drug paraphernalia, when in fact, he had taken a methamphetamine pipe home and smoked the residue. He claimed he did this to gain “energy” for report writing.
Toxicology reports indicated chronic drug use, contradicting Morales’ claims. The report recommended his termination, and Morales resigned on February 2, 2024. He also voluntarily surrendered his peace officer certification this month.
In an internal interview, Morales expressed remorse, particularly for the impact on his colleagues who sought therapy after his overdose. He stated he had overdosed in the bathroom specifically to avoid being seen by the public.
