First Arrest Under New Arizona Fentanyl Law Takes Place

Mesa Police have made their first arrest under Arizona's new fentanyl law, charging 34-year-old Cruzita Leon with the sale of lethal fentanyl in connection with the overdose death of 49-year-old Todd Gordon. Gordon was found unresponsive on November 27, 2024, and later died from acute fentanyl intoxication. Evidence including text messages revealed that Gordon had arranged to purchase fentanyl from Leon on the day he was found. The law, which went into effect in November 2024, makes it a Class 2 felony to sell fentanyl that leads to another person's death. Leon is being held on a $500,000 bond and faces multiple felony charges, including possessing narcotics for sale and using electronic communication in a drug transaction. This case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis and hold dealers accountable.